[Use of the thoraco-acromialis vein for implantation of a permanent transvenous PMK (author's transl)].

In order to implant a permanent PMK in 35 patients with total heart block the thoraco-acromialis vein has been investigated. The vein was easily found in the groove between the clavicular and sternal part of the musculus pectoralis major and used to implant a permanent pacing lead in 32 patients (91.5%). Following the satisfactory results and taking into account that the complications had reduced to a very low rate (in 2 cases lead tip displacement and pouch haematoma occurred respectively), the Authors consider the adopted method an useful approach for PMK implantation particularly when the use of the vena cephalica is deemed impossible.