This case report describes a transient pacemaker exit block due to subcutaneous emphysema following pneumothorax. Pneumothorax after pacemaker implantation is rare, but development of subcutaneous emphysema under such circumstances is even more uncommon. Exit block develops only with the use of unipolar leads; with implantation of bipolar leads, this complication cannot occur.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.