An unusual complication after permanent pacemaker implantation: Methemoglobinemia

Abstract

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is usually a very safe procedure with a low complication risk. It is a relatively straightforward process carried out under local anesthetic. This case report presents an 80-year-old male patient who required a permanent pacemaker due to complete atrioventricular (AV) block, and who developed cyanosis and was diagnosed with methemoglobinemia after the pacemaker insertion procedure, in which the local anesthetic prilocaine was administered. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature to describe methemoglobinemia developing after PPI.

Keywords

• methemoglobinemia
• pacemaker
• artificial; prilocaine