Bronchial penetration of migrated Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wire with bronchoscopic extraction

Our patient was incidentally discovered to have a filamentous foreign object penetrating his left mainstem bronchus during EBUS, with subsequent successful forceps extraction. Temporary epicardial pacing wires (TEPW) are commonly retained during coronary artery bypass surgery. Significant migration of these wires is extremely rare, and in certain instances of airway penetration they are amenable to extraction by bronchoscopy. The risk factors for significant migration, and potential consequences of such events are not well understood currently. Elucidating these elements should be of great interest to cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, and pulmonary medicine.