An unusual cause of transient ischemic attack in a patient with pacemaker
Jagadeesh Kumar Kalavakunta1, Vishal Gupta2, Basil Paulus2
1Division of Cardiology, Michigan State University, 804 Service Road, A205 Clinical Center, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
Insights
Pacemaker lead malposition in the left ventricle is a rare complication. Diagnosis requires clinical suspicion, and asymptomatic cases may be managed with anticoagulation instead of lead removal.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Pacemaker lead malposition is a known complication.
- Left ventricular lead malposition is rare and often underdiagnosed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of left ventricular pacemaker lead malposition.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 77-year-old male with atrial fibrillation and pacemaker.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation revealing atypical right bundle-branch block pattern.
- Diagnostic confirmation using chest X-ray and echocardiogram.
Main Results:
- Pacemaker lead was confirmed in the left ventricle, not the right.
- Patient presented with transient ischemic attack while on warfarin with subtherapeutic INR.
- Patient refused surgical lead removal, opting for increased warfarin dosage.
Conclusions:
- Left ventricular lead malposition requires a high index of clinical suspicion for diagnosis.
- Echocardiography is key for identifying lead position.
- Asymptomatic patients may be candidates for lifelong anticoagulation over surgical intervention.
Abstract:
Pacemaker lead malposition in various locations has been described in the literature. Lead malposition in left ventricle is a rare and an underdiagnosed complication. We present a 77-year-old man with history of atrial fibrillation and pacemaker placement who was admitted for transient ischemic attack. He was on aspirin, beta blocker, and warfarin with subtherapeutic international normalized ratio. His paced electrocardiogram showed right bundle-branch block, rather than the typical pattern of left bundle-branch block, suggesting pacemaker lead malposition. Further, his chest X-ray and echocardiogram confirmed the pacemaker lead position in the left ventricle instead of right ventricle. He refused surgical removal of the lead and we increased his warfarin dose. Diagnosis of lead malposition in left ventricle, though easy to identify in echocardiogram, requires high index of clinical suspicion. In asymptomatic patients, surgical removal may be deferred for treatment with lifelong anticoagulation.
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