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Published on: September 24, 2021
Pacemaker-mediated angina
1Department of Cardiology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.
Insights
Pacemaker-mediated angina, a rare complication, occurred in a patient with chest pain after dual-chamber pacemaker placement. Switching the pacemaker mode relieved the angina, highlighting the importance of thorough patient history.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Angina pectoris is chest discomfort caused by myocardial ischemia, often due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
- Dual-chamber pacemakers are devices that coordinate atrial and ventricular electrical activity to maintain optimal heart rhythm.
- Pacemaker-mediated tachycardia (PMT) can occur, but pacemaker-mediated angina is an infrequently reported complication.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old male presented with chest pain shortly after the implantation of a permanent dual-chamber pacemaker.
- The patient experienced immediate relief from his chest pain upon reprogramming the pacemaker.
- The pacemaker was switched from tracking the atrium and pacing the ventricle to sensing and pacing the ventricle.
Findings:
- The patient's chest pain was diagnosed as angina pectoris, directly linked to the pacemaker's function.
- This represents the first reported case of angina mediated by a dual-chamber pacemaker in medical literature.
- The specific pacemaker mode triggered the ischemic pain, suggesting a novel mechanism of pacemaker-induced angina.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering pacemaker-mediated angina in patients experiencing chest pain post-implantation.
- Thorough pre-pacemaker placement evaluation, including patient history, is crucial for identifying potential risks.
- Reprogramming pacemaker settings can effectively manage and resolve pacemaker-mediated angina, offering a treatment strategy.
Abstract:
Angina is a clinical syndrome characterized by discomfort in the chest, jaw, shoulder, back or arm. It is typically aggravated by exertion or emotional stress and relieved by nitroglycerin. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the most common cause of angina. Dual-chamber pacemakers track the atrial electrical activity by pacing the ventricle. The present article reports the first case in the literature involving pacemaker-mediated angina. A 78-year-old man complained of chest pain shortly after the placement of a permanent dual-chamber pacemaker and experienced immediate relief of his pain after the pacemaker mode was switched from tracking the atrium and pacing the ventricle to sensing and pacing the ventricle. The pain was identified as angina pectoris. The comprehensive history-taking performed before pacemaker placement helped to quickly identify the cause of the patient's pain.
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