Permanent pacemaker lead placement via the femoral vein in an elderly patient with a large thoracic aortic aneurysm

Abstract

An 87-year-old woman with complete atrioventricular block was admitted for permanent pacemaker implantation. The patient had a large thoracic aortic aneurysm that had been conservatively treated. Lead placement was not possible via the superior vena cava or the epicardial route because of the aneurysm. Therefore, we implanted a VVI pacemaker via the femoral approach. A unit was placed in a pouch on the right lower abdominal wall, and a lead was introduced into the right ventricle via the right femoral vein. The femoral vein approach is rarely used; however, it should be recognized as an effective alternative when the usual approach is difficult or impossible to be performed.