R L Nolan1, H P McAdams. 1. Department of Radiology, Queens University, c/o Kingston General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We describe our experience with bronchopericardial fistula as a complication of infection in patients who have undergone placement of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator systems. CONCLUSION: Bronchopericardial fistula should be suspected in patients who present with hemoptysis and who have undergone placement of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator using pericardial or epicardial defibrillator patches. Air between a defibrillator patch and the heart on chest radiographs or CT is diagnostic.
OBJECTIVE: We describe our experience with bronchopericardial fistula as a complication of infection in patients who have undergone placement of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator systems. CONCLUSION:Bronchopericardial fistula should be suspected in patients who present with hemoptysis and who have undergone placement of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator using pericardial or epicardial defibrillator patches. Air between a defibrillator patch and the heart on chest radiographs or CT is diagnostic.