Implantation of VVI pacemaker in a patient with dextrocardia, persistent left superior vena cava, and sick sinus syndrome: A case report

Implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker in a patient with dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome: a case report

Dextrocardia is a congenital abnormal position of the heart in which the main part of the heart is in the right chest, and the long axis of the heart points to the lower right. Cases of a combination of dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome are rare. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital with palpitations and dizziness for 1 week. Mirror-image dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome were diagnosed by an electrocardiogram, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and X-rays. Finally, we successfully implanted a dual-chamber pacemaker into the patient. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged when her symptoms had greatly improved 1 week later. When dextrocardia is present, using active fixation leads in the atrial and ventricular leads is easier for finding the pacing position with optimal sensing and pacing thresholds, and they reduce the incidence of falling off.

Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Pacemaker Implantation in a Patient with Dextrocardia Situs Inversus

A 70-year-old female with dextrocardia with situs inversus (DSI) totalis and inferior vena cava occlusion underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation because she had symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Careful preoperative examination made successful pulmonary vein isolation through the left jugular vein approach. One-year later, however, AF recurred, and symptomatic sinus bradycardia or junctional bradycardia often occurred. Then, the pacemaker was implanted. We here reported a rare case of congenital abnormality, DSI with inferior vena cava occlusion who had undergone successful pulmonary vein isolation and pacemaker implantation without any complications.

A Case of Successfully Implanted Dual Chamber Pacemaker in a Young Patient with Dextrocardia and Sick Sinus Syndrome

Dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly, whereas its association with sick sinus syndrome in young adults without accompanying heart abnormalities is exceptional. We report a case of a 38 year old female patient who was admitted to our hospital due to syncope as a consequence of sinus pauses up to 4.9 seconds. She was also diagnosed with situs inversus totalis, with mirror image dextrocardia. Pacemaker implantation was indicated. Under local anesthesia, from the left subclavian vein, the guide wire was passed through superior vena cava to the right atrium and ventricle without any obstacles. In conclusion, situs inversus totalis with mirror image dextrocardia may present in combination with sick sinus syndrome as early as the fourth decade of life. Implantation of pacemaker leads from the left subclavian vein appears accessible and safe in patients with dextrocardia with situs inversus (mirror image).

Radiofrequency catheter ablation in a patient with dextrocardia, persistent left superior vena cava, and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: A case report

RATIONALE

Dextrocardia is a rare congenital heart disease, while the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is an uncommon congenital vascular malformation. It is extremely rare for a person to have dextrocardia and PLSVC. A case with a combination of dextrocardia, PLSVC, and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia has not been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with palpitations. The physical examination revealed a heart rate of patient increased significantly, and that apex beating was found in the right fifth intercostal space approximately 0.5 cm from the midclavicular line.

DIAGNOSIS

We used different techniques, including electrocardiography, esophagus heart electrophysiology, chest radiograph, and cardiac color Doppler echocardiography to reveal the presence of the combination of dextrocardia, PLSVC, and supraventricular tachycardia.

INTERVENTIONS

We terminated tachycardia by esophageal pacing and cured patients with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

OUTCOMES

The complex structural anomalies presented great technical challenges for interventional treatments. After consulting the literature, thorough examination and understanding of the structural anatomy and anomalies of the vena cava and cardiac chambers, we successfully treated this patient by RFCA. After half a year of follow-up, the patient did not have palpitations, and no arrhythmia was seen on the electrocardiography.

LESSONS

Physicians need to be aware that the key to the success of RFCA, in this case, is to clarify the complexity of the morphological and anatomical structures of dextrocardia accompanying PLSVC and to consult and understand the experience of access vessels reported in relevant cases before the operation.