Feasibility of peripheral venous access for temporary right ventricular pacing.

INTRODUCTION In this brief report, we present our experience from placing temporary pacing electrodes through peripheral venous access sites, at bedside, in a series of patients needing temporary pacing. METHODS Consecutive patients requiring temporary pacing were selected. The median cubital or the basilic vein of the left upper extremity were used for catheterization at the bedside in all cases. RESULTS 25 patients (17 men, age 64.6 ± 11.8) were included. The procedure was successful in 21 cases (84%), 18 of which were completed without the need for fluoroscopic guidance. The pacing leads remained for 4.2 ± 2.2 days. As expected, no serious complications related to venous puncture were observed. Although patients were allowed to be mobilized within the ward and engage in limited movements of the catheterized arm, in only one case was the lead displaced, requiring repositioning. CONCLUSIONS We provide observational evidence that the use of peripheral venous access for temporary pacing lead insertion (with no fluoroscopic guidance, as default strategy) is a safe and feasible choice that might be considered as an alternative to central vein catheterization.