A 63-year-old male received a transvenous temporary pacemaker for brad
yarrhythmia following mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve ann
uloplasty. A transvenous permanent pacemaker was implanted the followi
ng day due to persistence of the bradyarrythmia and pacemaker dependen
cy of the patient. Later the same day during removal of the temporary
pacing electrode the permanent pacing lead was dislodged and had to be
operatively repositioned. To avoid this complication, the position of
pacemaker leads should be checked postoperatively with a frontal and
lateral chest radiograph, and fluoroscopy should be used during remova
l of a temporary lead.