Changing the view: Preventing pneumothorax during transvenous pacemaker implantation.

The authors discuss a study in the issue which described an analysis of employing caudal 40 degree angulation rather than conventional antero-posterior (AP) fluoroscopy to guide subclavian vein puncture for insertion of transvenous pacing wires for cardiac implantable electronic devices that shows a reduction in pneumothorax rates and use of contrast venography. Topics include main techniques for venous access, overall complication rates in the study, and retrospective nature of the study.