Risk of right bundle-branch block and complete heart block during pulmonary artery catheterization

Complete heart block—an underappreciated serious complication of central venous catheter placement

“…1,2,7 Some authors suggest using a prophylactic temporary pacemaker in patients with LBBB undergoing right heart catheterization because of the risk of CHB, 1,8,9 but others argue that because the chance of this complication is small, it may not be appropriate to subject the patients to the delays involved with the complications of pacemaker insertion. 2,7 There are a few literature reports about the development of CHB with CVC placement 10 ; however, there is no standard consensus statement or guidelines for the preparedness in such situation. A review of the previous literature suggests that this complication usually exhibits self-resolution over a short period as in our case.…”

A novel approach using pulmonary artery catheter-directed rapid right ventricular pacing to facilitate precise deployment of endografts in the thoracic aorta

“…Complications related to central venous catheterization, including arterial puncture, subcutaneous hematoma, hemothorax, venous air embolism, and asystole, are rare in experienced hands. 8 Complications related to PAC insertion are also rare but potentially serious and include ventricular arrhythmias, 6 transient heart block, 9 and pulmonary artery perforation. 10 In our series, there were no PAC placement complications.…”

Complete heart block complicating retrograde left ventricular catheterization: Case report and review

“…It is well documented that CHB occurs in 3-12% of patients with complete LBBB during right heart catheterization [ 1,7]. CHB occurs infrequently, however, during retrograde left ventricular catheterization in patients with normal baseline electrocardiogram [2,3], RBBB, or bifascicular block [2-121.…”