2nd Cardiac Surgery Department, Evagelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece. sakellaridis_t@yahoo.gr
BACKGROUND: Temporary epicardial pacing wires are routinely used during cardiac surgery; they are dependable in controlling postoperative arrhythmias and are associated with low morbitity. CASE REPORT: We report a case of sternobronchial fistula formation induced by the existence of retained epicardial pacing wires in a patient who underwent coronary surgery ten years ago. CONCLUSION: Reported complications of retained epicardial pacing wires are unusual. We present this case in order to include it to the potential complications of the epicardial pacing wires.