Biomaterial Database

Unusual complications of epicardial pacemakers. Recurrent pericarditis, cardiac tamponade and pericardial constriction. 1980

R W Peters, and M M Scheinman, and S Raskin, and A N Thomas

Three patients with unusual complications after insertion of an epicardial pacemaker are described. In one patient pericarditis and severe cardiac tamponade developed that required emergency pericardiocentesis 8 weeks after pacemaker insertion. No evidence of myocardial perforation was observed at operation. In another patient two unusual complications developed: (1) migration of the pulse generator from the epigastric site of implantation into the pelvis, and (2) recurrent pericarditis with occult signs of constriction. In another patient recurrent pericarditis and clinical evidence of constriction developed. All three patients required pericardiectomy. Recurrent pericarditis after insertion of an epicardial pacemaker requires careful medical follow-up because either life-threatening tamponade or chronic constrictive pericarditis may develop.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009038	Motion	Physical motion, i.e., a change in position of a body or subject as a result of an external force. It is distinguished from MOVEMENT, a process resulting from biological activity.	Motions
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D010138	Pacemaker, Artificial	A device designed to stimulate, by electric impulses, contraction of the heart muscles. It may be temporary (external) or permanent (internal or internal-external).	Cardiac Pacemaker, Artificial,Artificial Cardiac Pacemaker,Artificial Cardiac Pacemakers,Artificial Pacemaker,Artificial Pacemakers,Cardiac Pacemakers, Artificial,Pacemaker, Artificial Cardiac,Pacemakers, Artificial,Pacemakers, Artificial Cardiac
D010493	Pericarditis	Inflammation of the PERICARDIUM from various origins, such as infection, neoplasm, autoimmune process, injuries, or drug-induced. Pericarditis usually leads to PERICARDIAL EFFUSION, or CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS.	Pleuropericarditis
D010494	Pericarditis, Constrictive	Inflammation of the PERICARDIUM that is characterized by the fibrous scarring and adhesion of both serous layers, the VISCERAL PERICARDIUM and the PARIETAL PERICARDIUM leading to the loss of pericardial cavity. The thickened pericardium severely restricts cardiac filling. Clinical signs include FATIGUE, muscle wasting, and WEIGHT LOSS.	Constrictive Pericarditis,Pick's Disease of Heart,Pick Disease of Heart,Constrictive Pericarditides,Heart Pick's Disease,Pericarditides, Constrictive,Pick Disease, Heart,Picks Disease, Heart
D011185	Postpericardiotomy Syndrome	A nonspecific hypersensitivity reaction caused by TRAUMA to the PERICARDIUM, often following PERICARDIOTOMY. It is characterized by PERICARDIAL EFFUSION; high titers of anti-heart antibodies; low-grade FEVER; LETHARGY; loss of APPETITE; or ABDOMINAL PAIN.	Postcommissurotomy Syndrome,Postcommissurotomy Syndromes,Postpericardiotomy Syndromes,Syndrome, Postcommissurotomy,Syndrome, Postpericardiotomy,Syndromes, Postcommissurotomy,Syndromes, Postpericardiotomy
D002305	Cardiac Tamponade	Compression of the heart by accumulated fluid (PERICARDIAL EFFUSION) or blood (HEMOPERICARDIUM) in the PERICARDIUM surrounding the heart. The affected cardiac functions and CARDIAC OUTPUT can range from minimal to total hemodynamic collapse.	Pericardial Tamponade,Cardiac Tamponades,Pericardial Tamponades,Tamponade, Cardiac,Tamponade, Pericardial,Tamponades, Cardiac,Tamponades, Pericardial
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man