Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42569986›Full record

ArticleJACC. Case reports2026

Thoracic Duct Obstruction as a Cause of Chylous Ascites After Pacemaker Implant.

Banveet Kaur, Maxim Itkin, Robert D Schaller

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in JACC. Case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Banveet KaurDepartment of Cardiac Electrophysiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Maxim ItkinCenter for Lymphatic Disorders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Robert D SchallerDepartment of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: robert.schaller@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTransvenous leads of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can cause central venous stenosis, impairing thoracic duct outflow, and result in chylous effusions. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old man developed refractory chylous ascites/chylothorax after pacemaker implantation. Magnetic resonance lymphangiography demonstrated thoracic duct dilatation and mesenteric reflux secondary to venous stenosis. Thoracic duct thrombolysis provided only temporary improvement. Transvenous lead extraction, balloon venoplasty, and leadless pacemaker implantation resulted in complete resolution. DISCUSSION: CIED-related venous obstruction can cause lymphatic hypertension with chylous ascites/chylothorax by impairing thoracic duct drainage. Unlike direct thoracic duct injury, venous obstruction disrupts lymphatic outflow rather than causing immediate leakage. Definitive treatment requires relief of the venous obstruction. Lead extraction with venoplasty restores lymphatic drainage, whereas leadless pacing avoids further transvenous venous injury. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: CIED-related venous stenosis should be considered in patients with unexplained chylous effusions. Lead extraction with venoplasty can restore lymphatic drainage, and leadless pacing is an effective alternative.

Indexed as

chylothoraxpacemakerstenosis

Identifiers

PMID42569986
PMCPMC13689778

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.