Complications of temporary transvenous pacing

The complications of temporary transvenous endocardial pacing as performed in the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur, from 1971 to 1979 were reviewed. 125 temporary pacings were performed in 111 patients. Different routes of temporary pacing
were used: namely percutaneous subclavian vein and femoral vein puncture and acutecubital vein cutdown. The latter route was associated with a higher incidence of dislodgement and infection. Other common complications encountered were ventricular arrhythymia and generator failure.