The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Comparative Study
A comparison of lead placement through the subclavian vein technique with fluoroscopy-guided axillary vein technique for permanent pacemaker insertion.
The intrathoracic subclavian venous technique for pacemaker implantation may be associated with serious complications. We describe an alternative technique for obtaining venous access for pacemaker implantation through axillary vein under fluoroscopic guidance and compare it with the conventional, subclavian approach. ⋯ The fluoroscopically guided axillary venous approach for implanting permanent pacemakers is equivalent to the traditional anatomic landmark-guided intrathoracic subclavian approach and has fewer complications and shorter procedural time to access the vein.