Abnormal implantation of permanent pacemaker lead in the left ventricle via a patent foramen ovale: clinical and echocardiographic recognition of a rare complication

Do all roads lead to Rome? Treatment of malposition pacemaker lead in the left ventricle

Malpositioning of a pacemaker lead in the left ventricle is a rare device-related complication, which can lead to serious complications. Herein, we describe the case of a malpositioned lead, which entered the left ventricle via a direct transcutaneous puncture of the left common carotid artery.

A pacemaker lead in the left ventricle: An "unexpected" finding?

Inadvertent malposition of a pacemaker lead in the left ventricle is uncommon, but it should not be misdiagnosed. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with symptomatic sick-sinus syndrome requiring pacemaker implantation. Shortly afterwards the lead was extracted and a new pacemaker was contralaterally implanted due to pocket hematoma and suspected lead fracture. Three months later, she was referred to our echocardiography laboratory complaining of asthenia. At transthoracic echocardiography an echo-bright linear structure was recognized in left atrium, passing through the mitral valve and leaning against the posterior left ventricular wall. In short-axis and apical views, the lead apparently crossed the interatrial septum through patent foramen ovale. The QRS-paced electrocardiogram showed right bundle branch block morphology. The lead was apparently well positioned, examining the chest X-ray postero-anterior view. On the contrary, by latero-lateral view and left-anterior oblique view, lead curvature was consistent with misplacement into the left ventricle. Malposition was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. Given the relatively recent implant, system revision with lead extraction was scheduled and completed without complications. This case report is intended to improve our awareness in the prevention and in the prompt detection of misplaced pacemaker leads in order to manage an immediate correction. <Learning objective: During lead implantation, fluoroscopic left-anterior oblique view should be always used to ensure correct positioning. At least 3-6 limb leads should be carefully monitored during the procedure, and a 12-lead standard electrocardiogram should be performed shortly afterwards for the paced QRS morphology. Lateral chest X-ray should always be taken after implantation. In cases of doubt, echocardiography (transthoracic or transesophageal) may confirm abnormal lead placement defining the route covered by the catheter.>.

Inadvertent left ventricular pacing through a patent foramen ovale: identification, management and implications for postpacemaker implantation checks

A dual chamber permanent pacemaker was implanted into an asymptomatic man with complete (third degree) heart block because of the risk of asystole. The ventricular lead was thought to have been attached to the right ventricular septum; however, it inadvertently passed through a patent foramen ovale into the left ventricle. Although the postprocedure ECG showed right bundle branch block this was thought to be due to the presumed septal positioning of the pacing lead. Lead misplacement was not detected on posterioanterior chest X-ray but was clearly demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography, and subsequently on lateral chest X-ray. The lead was successfully removed and repositioned correctly at the next available opportunity without complication or sequelae.

Late left ventricular perforation by active fixation pacemaker lead implanted in the right ventricular septum

We report a rare case of late left ventricular perforation caused by a migrated pacemaker lead, which had been implanted in the right ventricular septum three months prior. Preoperative computed tomography findings revealed that the tip of the migrated pacemaker lead had perforated the ventricular wall near the intraventricular groove into the anterior chest wall.

Right ventricular enlargement mimicking electrocardiographic left ventricular pacing

Electrocardiographic right bundle branch block morphology during cardiac pacing is occasionally the result of accidental placement of pacemaker or defibrillator leads into the left ventricle. Inadvertent lead placement in the left heart is associated with a risk of systemic embolism. Previous authors have attempted to define safe (right ventricular origin) and unsafe (left ventricular origin) patterns of right bundle branch block during pacing. We report a case of a patient with severe dilated cardiomyopathy and a correctly positioned pacemaker-defibrillator lead in the right ventricular apex, who meets electrocardiographic criteria for lead implantation into the left ventricle.

Atrioventricular membrane perforation: A very rare complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department with the complaint of syncope. An electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular block with a low ventricular rate. He was hospitalized and a temporary transfemoral pacemaker was inserted under direct fluoroscopy urgently. Immediate postprocedural electrocardiogram in the paced mode showed right bundle branch block morphology that led to suggestion of abnormal lead location. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed that the pacemaker lead was directly inserted from the right atrium into the left ventricle through the junction of the interatrial and interventricular septums. Because severe multivessel coronary artery disease was diagnosed angiographically in his subsequent hospital course, coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical extraction of the misplaced lead was performed at the same time. Clinical implications, diagnosis, and therapeutic options of left ventricular pacemaker lead malposition are discussed.

Inadvertent Positioning of Pacemaker Leads in the Pericardium

A patient had a dual chamber pacemaker with endocardial leads implanted chronically. The lead position on chest X ray and the ECG pattern indicated lead malposition, but a CT scan and transesophageal echocardiography were nondiagnostic. Venography indicated that both leads were in the mediastinal and pericardial space.