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Interelectrode (Accufix) lead fracture.
A J Trigano1, J Julienne, A Ferracci
1Department of Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nord, France.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|December 22, 1999
Summary
A fractured Accufix lead showed separation between the lead body and tip after 7 years. The intact retention wire may have caused this lead rupture, impacting cardiac device function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Pacemaker lead integrity is crucial for long-term device efficacy and patient safety.
- Lead fractures can lead to device malfunction, requiring revision surgery.
- Accufix leads are used for cardiac pacing, with their design potentially influencing durability.
Observation:
- A case of interelectrode fracture in an Accufix lead is reported.
- The lead failure occurred 7 years post-implantation.
- The lead body had separated from the tip, which remained embedded in the atrial wall.
Findings:
- The fracture involved the separation of the lead body from the tip.
- The atrial helix of the lead was securely anchored in the atrial wall.
- An intact retention wire was noted, and hypothesized to be a contributing factor to the lead rupture.
Implications:
- Lead fractures can occur years after implantation, necessitating long-term monitoring.
- The design features of pacemaker leads, such as retention wires, may influence their susceptibility to fracture.
- Understanding lead failure mechanisms is essential for improving the design and longevity of cardiac implantable electronic devices.