Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia after subxiphoid epicardial pacemaker insertion: case reports

The first two cases of intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia following a subxiphoid epicardial pacemaker insertion are reported. Factors deemed responsible for this rare complication in one case were previous gastrectomy with a resulting paucity of omentum, and entrance into the peritoneal cavity during the pacemaker procedure.