[Acute hemopericardium--a rare intraoperative complication of cardiac pacemaker therapy]

During the observation period from 1977 to 1985 in altogether 1,520 cardiac pacemaker operations 7 perforations of the myocardium with haemodynamic effect on the cardiac function were treated. In the light of the own experiences of the operative surroundings and the results the pericardiotomy is regarded as method of choice. If in the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker an acute deterioration of the general condition of the patient develops, one should at first think of the possibility of the tamponade of the pericardium. Only by active approach (pericardiotomy or puncture) the patient's life can be preserved.