Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2014 Mar 20:9:53.
doi: 10.1186/1749-8090-9-53.

Pacemaker lead malposition in the left atrial roof is masked by normal pacing thresholds

Claus Rath  1 , Martin Andreas, Caesar Khazen, Dominik Wiedemann, Andreas Habertheuer, Alfred Kocher
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pacemaker lead malposition in the left atrial roof is masked by normal pacing thresholds

Claus Rath et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Pacemaker lead malpositioning with subsequent cardiac tamponade is a rare, but serious adverse event. We herein report a case of pacemaker lead malpositioning in a 76-year old female caucasian patient. The lead was malpositioned into the roof of the left atrium after perforation of the superior vena cava, resulting in cardiac tamponade. After fast surgical revision and an uneventful post-operative period, the patient was discharged in excellent condition.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest X-ray. Atypical position of the atrial lead.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Computed tomography scan. The atrial lead connects to the roof of the left atrium; 2a-2d Four coronal CT slices, from ventral to dorsal.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Post-operative chest X-ray. Both leads were re-positioned.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Palmisano P, Accogli M, Zaccaria M, Luzzi G, Nacci F, Anaclerio M, Favale S. Rate, causes, and impact on patient outcome of implantable device complications requiring surgical revision: large population survey from two centres in Italy. Europace. 2013;9:531–540. doi: 10.1093/europace/eus337. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Udo EO, Zuithoff NP, van Hemel NM, de Cock CC, Hendriks T, Doevendans PA, Moons KG. Incidence and predictors of short- and long-term complications in pacemaker therapy: the FOLLOWPACE study. Heart Rhythm. 2012;9:728–735. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.12.014. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rajappan K. Permanent pacemaker implantation technique: part II. Heart. 2009;9:334–342. - PubMed
    1. Lelorier P. Accidents will happen (so be prepared) Heart Rhythm. 2005;9:912–913. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2005.07.008. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mahapatra S, Bybee KA, Bunch TJ, Espinosa RE, Sinak LJ, McGoon MD, Hayes DL. Incidence and predictors of cardiac perforation after permanent pacemaker placement. Heart Rhythm. 2005;9:907–911. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2005.06.011. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types