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Published on: February 11, 2022

Thoracic Duct Obstruction as a Cause of Chylous Ascites After Pacemaker Implant

Banveet Kaur1, Maxim Itkin2, Robert D Schaller3

  • 1Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.

JACC. Case Reports
|August 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) leads can cause central venous stenosis, leading to chylous effusions. Treating venous obstruction via lead extraction and venoplasty, or using leadless pacing, resolves this lymphatic complication.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Transvenous leads for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are associated with central venous stenosis.
  • This stenosis can impede thoracic duct outflow, potentially leading to chylous effusions.
Abstract

Keywords:
chylothoraxpacemakerstenosis

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