Symptomatic thrombus formation due to a permanent pacemaker (PM) lead is a rare complication. It could be associated with serious outcome and should be suspected in patients who present with unexplained right heart failure, dyspnea, or syncope following dual-chamber PM implantation. A timely decision to perform an echocardiographic examination, followed by medical, thrombolytic, or surgical treatment can be necessary. We describe the case of an 84-year-old man who presented with syncope and hypotension a few days after PM implantation. A transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mobile mass in the right atrium attached to the pacemaker lead. Intravenous heparin allowed a complete resolution of the thrombus.
Keywords: acute thrombosis; early thrombosis; pacing; pulmonary embolism; right atrium mass; right ventricular pacemaker lead.
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