Venous access thrombosis detected by transcutaneous vascular ultrasound in patients with single-polyurethane-lead permanent pacemaker

In order to assess the incidence of significant venous thrombosis after transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation, transcutaneous ultrasound studies were performed in 109 consecutive patients with single-polyurethane- lead pacemakers. Ultrasonic evaluation was found to be a good noninvasive method in assessing the veins. Six patients (5.5%) were found to have significant venous obstruction in the subclavian vein. However, none of them were symptomatic. No difference in the incidence of venous obstruction was found, based on the age, duration of implantation, operative technique, potentially thrombogenic factors including atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure and end-stage renal disease.