BACKGROUND: Haematoma formation is a recognised complication after permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. The contribution of peri-procedural anticoagulation to the risk of haematoma formation is unclear. METHOD: The records of 518 consecutive patients, mean age 76.9±9.8 years, receiving their first PPM (2004-2007) in a single tertiary referral centre were reviewed. Follow-up was complete for 506 patients (97.7%) up to six weeks. Haematomas were diagnosed clinically, and further subdivided according to the need for evacuation. RESULTS: There were 27 instances of haematoma formation in 25 patients (4.9%) with 19 requiring drainage or evacuation. Twenty-one of the 25 patients who developed a haematoma had stopped warfarin and received bridging therapeutic anticoagulation pre- and post-PPM. The incidence of haematoma was significantly greater in those receiving peri-operative therapeutic anticoagulation (26.9% vs 0.9%, p<0.001), but was unaffected by the use of anti-platelet therapy. Most haematomas developed in patients whose heparin was recommenced within 24 hours of implantation. The development of haematoma post-PPM increased median hospital stay significantly (p<0.001). The main indication for anticoagulation in these patients was atrial fibrillation (79.5%) and most of these patients had a low to intermediate risk of peri-procedural thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION: Peri-operative therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with more than 25-fold increase in haematoma formation post-pacemaker implantation. The risk-benefit ratio of therapeutic anticoagulation should be carefully considered, particularly in patients with a low risk of thromboembolic events.
BACKGROUND: Haematoma formation is a recognised complication after permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. The contribution of peri-procedural anticoagulation to the risk of haematoma formation is unclear. METHOD: The records of 518 consecutive patients, mean age 76.9±9.8 years, receiving their first PPM (2004-2007) in a single tertiary referral centre were reviewed. Follow-up was complete for 506 patients (97.7%) up to six weeks. Haematomas were diagnosed clinically, and further subdivided according to the need for evacuation. RESULTS: There were 27 instances of haematoma formation in 25 patients (4.9%) with 19 requiring drainage or evacuation. Twenty-one of the 25 patients who developed a haematoma had stopped warfarin and received bridging therapeutic anticoagulation pre- and post-PPM. The incidence of haematoma was significantly greater in those receiving peri-operative therapeutic anticoagulation (26.9% vs 0.9%, p<0.001), but was unaffected by the use of anti-platelet therapy. Most haematomas developed in patients whose heparin was recommenced within 24 hours of implantation. The development of haematoma post-PPM increased median hospital stay significantly (p<0.001). The main indication for anticoagulation in these patients was atrial fibrillation (79.5%) and most of these patients had a low to intermediate risk of peri-procedural thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION: Peri-operative therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with more than 25-fold increase in haematoma formation post-pacemaker implantation. The risk-benefit ratio of therapeutic anticoagulation should be carefully considered, particularly in patients with a low risk of thromboembolic events.
Authors: James D Douketis; Alex C Spyropoulos; Frederick A Spencer; Michael Mayr; Amir K Jaffer; Mark H Eckman; Andrew S Dunn; Regina Kunz Journal: Chest Date: 2012-02 Impact factor: 9.410
Authors: Simon Pecha; Ayhan Ayikli; Iris Wilke; Samer Hakmi; Yalin Yildirim; Nils Gosau; Hermann Reichenspurner; Stephan Willems; Muhammet Ali Aydin Journal: Heart Vessels Date: 2017-10-13 Impact factor: 2.037
Authors: Shivanshu Madan; Purushothaman Muthusamy; Katie L Mowers; Darryl A Elmouchi; Bohuslav Finta; Andre J Gauri; Alan K Woelfel; Timothy D Fritz; Alan T Davis; Nagib T Chalfoun Journal: Cardiovasc Diagn Ther Date: 2016-02