Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Caused by Electrocautery during Pacemaker Generator Change in a Patient with Normal Left Ventricular Function

Pacemaker generator replacement is a simple procedure that is mostly done on outpatient basis. Electrocautery is almost universally used for bleeding control and tissue dissection. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) caused by electrocautery in these procedures is a very uncommon occurrence and an underappreciated possibility with modern day devices. We report a case of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia induced by electrocautery in a patient with normal left ventricular ejection fraction during elective pacemaker generator change. ( PACE 2009; 32: 957-958)