[Pacemaker malfunctioning caused by subcutaneous emphysema].

We report a case of early pace-maker malfunction associated with a collection of air which separates the anodal contact plate of a unipolar permanent generator from the underlying tissues. The air pocket resulted from a complication of the percutaneous technique used to introduce the electrocatheter through the subclavian vein. Loss of capture was attributed to a critical increase in impedance to current flow in the pacing system. The malfunction was corrected by simple non-invasive procedures at the patient's bedside. Air pocket can cause the loss of stimulation of the pace-maker.