Defect in Lung Perfusion and Ventilation Scanning of Patients with Permanent Transvenous Implantable Pacemaker

Lung perfusion and ventilation scanning with 99mTc-MAA and 81mKr-Gass were studied in 138 patients with permanent transvenous implantable pacemaker.

There were observed segmental or subsegmental defects in lung perfusion and ventilation scanning which were considered to be probably lung embolism of 47 cases.

The incidence of lung embolism was high during the first postoperative 6 months, and it also increased progressively with aging.

The patient with ischemic heart disease or valvular disease or hypertension showing heart failure or chest oppression or palpitation and dizziness had a tendency of high incidence of lung embolism.

From this finding, it might be said that the prophylactic treatment against thromboembolism is necessary especially within 6 months after pacemaker insertion in the patient more than 60 years of age with ischemic heart disease or valvular disease showing heart failure, chest oppression or palpitation and dizziness.