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Pectoral muscle stimulation after falling off a ladder
1Department of Cardiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|December 11, 1997
Summary
A pacemaker flipping after a fall caused pectoral muscle stimulation. Correcting the pacemaker
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Pacemaker implantation requires precise positioning for optimal function.
- Device-related complications can arise from external trauma.
Observation:
- A correctly implanted pacemaker was found to have rotated 180 degrees after a patient fall.
- The patient experienced symptomatic pectoral muscle stimulation due to the displaced pacemaker.
Findings:
- Pacemaker generator displacement can lead to unintended pectoral muscle stimulation.
- Manual repositioning of the pacemaker generator resolved the symptomatic stimulation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring pacemaker integrity after falls.
- Physicians should consider mechanical displacement as a cause of pacemaker malfunction and patient symptoms.