Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
Very late-onset atrial lead perforation leading to pneumopericardium
Kei Enokizono1, Tsukasa Kamakura1, Akiyuki Kotoku2
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
Atrial lead perforation, a rare complication of cardiac resynchronization therapy, can cause pneumopericardium and pneumothorax. This case resolved spontaneously with conservative management, highlighting individualized treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Atrial lead perforation is a known complication of cardiac device implantation.
- It can lead to serious conditions such as pneumopericardium and pneumothorax.
- These complications typically occur within days of implantation.
Background:
Atrial lead perforation may lead to pneumopericardium or pneumothorax within a few days of device implantation.
Methods And Results:
We report a case of atrial lead perforation 6 years after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation, which resulted in pneumopericardium and pneumothorax.
Conclusion:
Although pneumopericardium caused by atrial lead perforation can spontaneously resolve with conservative treatment, as it did in this case, treatment should be decided based on the patient's general condition and lead performance.
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