Lead displacement due to tension pneumothorax following permanent pacemaker implantation

Abstract A 62-year-old female, who had undergone dual chamber pacemaker implantation through left subclavian approach, developed tension pneumothorax of left side. This resulted in shift of entire mediastinum and lead displacement with altered lead parameters. Pacemaker implantation can be complicated by tension pneumothorax in 0.6–5% of cases. Tension pneumothorax can cause mediastinal shift and rarely cause displacement of the leads. In our patient, shift of mediastinum with change of loops and position was associated with change of parameters requiring lead revision. < Learning objective: Pacemaker implantation can be complicated by tension pneumothorax in 0.6–5% of cases. Tension pneumothorax can cause mediastinal shift and rarely cause displacement of the leads. In our patient, shift of mediastinum with change of loops and position was associated with change of parameters requiring lead revision. This clinical scenario is rarely seen and has not been documented before.>