[Esophageal Perforation from a Migrated Temporary Pacing Wire Undetected for Five Years After Cardiac Surgery]

The patient is a 58-year-old male who underwent aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic grafting five years ago. Postoperatively, a temporary epicardial pacing wire( TEPW) could not be removed, and was subsequently cut at insertion to the skin and left in situ. Despite ongoing antibiotic therapy, the patient's C-reactive protein (CRP) level remained elevated. An endoscopic examination revealed that the TEPW had migrated and penetrated the esophagus, prompting its endoscopic removal. TEPW can cause fatal complications, so they should be removed whenever possible. In patients with TEPW left in the body, wires should be checked constantly by imaging studies.