RCIS Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Exam Prep

The placement of a pacing electrode or wire can sometimes lead to perforation of the cardiac chambers or the vascular structures. This occurs when the electrode inadvertently punctures the wall of the heart or a blood vessel during insertion. Perforation is a serious complication that can lead to significant clinical consequences, including cardiac tamponade or hemorrhage, which may necessitate emergency intervention.

While other complications such as infection, hematoma formation, and thrombus formation are also relevant considerations when performing this procedure, they occur less frequently compared to perforation. Infection, for example, is more commonly associated with long-term placement and external devices rather than immediate complications from wire placement. Hematoma formation can occur but is more often linked to vascular access rather than the pacing wire itself. Thrombus formation is a concern with indwelling devices but is not as directly related to the act of placing a pacing electrode. Perforation stands out as a critical, potentially life-threatening complication that requires immediate recognition and management.