Abstract
Aims: Pocket haematoma is a common complication following pacemaker implantation. Impact of this complication on postprocedural outcomes has previously not been systematically studied. We sought to identify the incidence of pockethaematoma after a de novo pacemaker and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation and evaluate its impact on the hospital outcomes using a large all-payer national inpatient database. Methods and Results: Data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2010 was queried to identify all primary implantations of single chamber, dualchamber pacemakers, and biventricular devices during the year 2010 using the appropriate ICD-9 codes. Patients who experienced a procedure-related haematoma during the hospital stay were identified. Of a total of 78 751 primary pacemakerimplantations in the year 2010, 1677 (2.1%) of the implantations were complicated by a pocket haematoma. Higher age groups, more complex pacemaker types (BiV . dual chamber . single chamber), and comorbidities such ascongestive heart failure and coagulopathy were associated with an increased risk of pocket haematoma formation post-pacemaker implantation. Patients who developed a pocket haematoma had a longer length of stay (8.7 vs. 4.8days, P < 0.001), higher hospitalization costs ($48 815 vs. $34 324, P < 0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (2.0 vs. 0.7%, P < 0.001) compared with patients who did not develop a haematoma. Conclusions: Haematoma is a relatively common complication associated with pacemaker implantation; however, it adversely impacts in-hospital outcomes.