Delayed Right Ventricular Pacemaker Lead Perforation 9 Years After Implantation

Am J Case Rep. 2023 Jul 4:24:e940291. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.940291.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cardiac perforation is a rare complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.1% to 5.2%. Delayed perforation, defined as perforation occurring more than 1 month after implantation, is more uncommon. In this report, we present a case of cardiac perforation involving the right ventricle wall that occurred 9 years after pacemaker implantation. CASE REPORT A 79-year-old woman presented with symptoms of dyspnea and was subsequently admitted to a hospital. She had undergone pacemaker implantation for a complete atrioventricular block 9 years prior to the presentation. The patient had right ventricular failure to capture and a resultant complete atrioventricular block. Computed tomography imaging revealed that the right ventricular lead had clearly protruded outside the heart; however, no pericardial effusion was observed. When the patient underwent open surgical repair, the ventricular tined lead was noted to be traversing the right ventricular apex. Device interrogation revealed a sudden increase followed by a gradual decrease in the right ventricular pacing threshold over the course of 2 months, indicating that the lead had slowly traversed the right ventricular muscle before ultimately rupturing through it. CONCLUSIONS This study described the case of a delayed right ventricular pacemaker lead perforation that occurred 9 years after implantation, which was managed via open surgical repair.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrioventricular Block* / complications
  • Atrioventricular Block* / therapy
  • Female
  • Heart Injuries* / complications
  • Heart Injuries* / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial* / adverse effects
  • Pericardial Effusion* / etiology