Atrioventricular block

In the short term, periprocedurally, the risks associated with pacemaker implantation are low: in the range of 2% to 3%. These include bleeding, infection, vascular trauma, pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, lead dislodgement, and pocket hematoma development. The risk of MI, stroke, and death is <1%.

Long-term complications include pulse generator or lead malfunction and infection. The pulse generators run on batteries that average 7 to 10 years in longevity. Battery depletion requires replacing the pulse generator.

Over a lifetime, there is some risk of infection of the lead, which may require extraction, a complex procedure that should be performed at specialized centers.