Time to rethink: Conscious sedation in an obese during pacemaker implantation

We report a case of pulmonary embolism while performing pacemaker implantation in an obese patient and its management as well as certain precautions that one must consider in an obese patient especially under conscious sedation. Air embolism during pacemaker implantation although rare can be life-threatening in certain conditions such as massive pulmonary embolism. Air embolism during this procedure mainly occurs through open sheath just before inserting the lead. Certain risk factors associated with this condition include deep inspiration, frequent coughing, advanced age, sheath with larger diameter, and sedatives. Obesity along with associated factors including sleep apnea, restrictive lung disease, and challenges during airway management can create troubles during pacemaker implantation. Conscious sedation is usually required when a patient becomes restless during the procedure either due to pain or prolonged supine position. At times a patient can transiently go into the deep sedation and a deep inspiration during this phase can be detrimental in a procedure where it is undesirable and adds to the risk of air embolism. Here we discuss the management and alternative methods which can be used to avoid such complications. <Learning objective: Pacemaker implantation procedure can be performed with minimal sedation instead of conscious sedation. Although conscious sedation seems more suitable, it carries the risk of complications such as air embolism that can be precipitated by involuntary deep inspiration during the procedure. When conscious sedation is required one must reconsider the need as well as alternatives so as to avoid such complications.>.