Postpericardiotomy syndrome and cardiac tamponade as a late complication after pacemaker implantation

In a 78-year old woman, pacemaker implantation was complicated by a transie nt perforation of the endocardial lead. The patient was in stable condition for up to 7 weeks after implantation, after which pericardial effusion and subacute cardiac tamponade developed and pericardiocentesis became necessa ry. This case illustrates that even after initially uneventful pacemaker le ad perforation, careful, long-term follow-up is necessary to recognize the potential development of late postpericardiotomy syndrome.