Pacemaker lead related tricuspid stenosis: a report of two cases

Only four cases of tricuspid stenosis related to endocardial pacemaker leads have been reported. Two further cases associated with perforation of a tricuspid valve leaflet by a pacemaker lead are presented: a 46 year old woman and a 60 year old man. It is possible that tricuspid valve disease related to endocardial pacemaker and non-thoracotomy defibrillator leads is underrecognized. Diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and the use of Doppler echocardiography. Recent evidence of fibrosis affecting the tricuspid valve in hearts from patients who have had non-thoracotomy defibrillator implants suggests that this problem could be more common in the future.