Where do the Leads Lead? Severe Tricuspid Stenosis and Infection Secondary to Retained Leads-Juniper Publishers

JUNIPER PUBLISHERS-OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY & CARDIOVASCULAR THERAPY 


Case Report

A 58-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with asymptomatic hypertensive urgency. His medical history was significant for heart failure and complete heart block with a dual chamber pacemaker first implanted in 1985. Although he had more leads added over time, his previous leads were never removed. Examination revealed a left-sided generator and an old right-sided device with purulent eroded wires. He also had mild pedal edema. A chest radiograph (Figure 1A) demonstrated a complicated lead arrangement with wires connecting the generator on the left and the old generator pocket site on the right, an atrial lead (yellow arrow) in the correct position, and multiple ventricular leads (green and red arrows) passing through the tricuspid area (oval). Gated chest computed tomography showed a misplaced, abandoned lead piercing one of the tricuspid leaflets (Red arrow in Figures 1B & 1C). Echocardiogram shows resultant severe tricuspid stenosis with a mean pressure gradient of 11mmHg and a maximum velocity of 2.1m/sec through the valve (Video 1).

Due to concern for lead infection and future development of right-sided heart failure from tricuspid stenosis, lead extraction was attempted. Cultures from the device pocket were positive for Staph epidermidis confirming the infection. Unfortunately, due to their age, fragmentation, and complexity, the leads were only partially removed and his tricuspid valve remained stenotic.

This case adds to a small but growing number of cases of traumatic tricuspid stenosis caused by cardiac device leads [1]. Furthermore, it illustrates how excess retained leads can serve as a nidus for infection. These images illustrate the danger and significant morbidity that excessive leads can cause.

Consequently, the images should serve as a reminder to not simply abandon old cardiac leads but to always weigh the risk of lead extraction with the potential significant complications from retained leads [2].

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