Complications of epicardial pacing wire removal

Epicardial pacing wire removal (EPWR) is a procedure performed on postoperative cardiac surgery patients. Nurses who assist with or perform this procedure need to be aware of its possible complications; these include bleeding, pericardial or mediastinal tamponade, ventricular dysrhythmias, wire fragment migration, and infection secondary to retained wire fragments. Patients undergoing EPWR should be monitored for signs of complications; appropriate emergency equipment should be readily available, and nurses should educate patients on possible problems and interventions.