Pseudo-Malposition of Permanent Pacemaker Electrodes Caused by Pneumothorax

Abstract

A fifty-two-year-old man received a dual-chamber pacemaker with appropriate positioning of the leads via the right subclavian vein. About four days later he was noted to have developed a large right-sided pneumothorax. The roentgenogram showed displacement of the heart to the left and apparent displacement of the pacemaker leads with loss of the normal “J” configuration of the atrial electrode. On resolution of the pneumothorax, the electrode configurations returned to normal.