Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Contra-lateral Haemopneumothorax and Pneumopericardium Following Dual Chamber ICD Implantation via the Cephalic Vein

Abstract

Thanh T Phan, Samia Khan, Nicholas J Linker and Andrew Turley

We present a case of contra-lateral haemopneumothorax and pneumopericardium following a dual chamber ICD implantation using the cephalic vein. The explanation lies in the use of an active fixation atrial (screw-in) lead and not the route of venous access. One should inspect for pneumopericardium when a pneumothorax is present on the CXR and look for right sided pneumothorax even when the cephalic vein was used for access.