A 79 year old male with history of sick sinus syndrome associated with frequent syncopal events underwent dual lead pacemaker implantation with atrial and ventricular active fixation leads. Six months post implant he experienced acute inferolateral ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and underwent successful primary percutaneous revascularization. During diagnostic coronary angiography the angiographic catheters were identified to engage the previously implanted pacemaker leads. Inadvertent positioning of the atrial and ventricular leads via the left subclavian artery to the right coronary cusp and left ventricular apex, respectively, was confirmed with detailed fluoroscopy and selective subclavian angiography. Pacemaker interrogation confirmed lack of atrial capture and normal ventricular sensing and capture thresholds. Following revascularization, the patient had an uneventful hospital course and was discharged on appropriate medical therapy including antithrombotic therapy with aspirin and thienopyridine. Warfarin was not instituted due to persistent anemia and requirement of dual antiplatelet therapy.\nGiven the high risk position of the atrial lead tip in close proximity to the right coronary artery ostium, the patient was electively admitted one month later for transarterial lead removal. Under general anesthesia and in a hybrid operating theater and catheterization laboratory, vascular access was obtained in the right and left femoral arteries and right femoral vein. Prior to systemic anticoagulation, the left subpectoral pocket was opened under sterile conditions, and the subcutaneous tissue was carefully dissected until the leads were visible and freed. Venipuncture was performed using the Seldinger technique, and the left axillary vein was accessed. Two active fixation pacemaker leads were implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract and the right atrial appendage, respectively. Fluoroscopy and aortography were performed demonstrating the dual pacemaker system (). Aortic arch angiography demonstrated a type 1 arch and no significant disease in the origin of the great vessels. Using 5-French diameter, 90 cm length guiding sheaths, the right and left common carotid arterieswere selectively engaged over a guidewire. Carotid angiography revealed nonobstructive disease in the intracranial and extracranial portions bilaterally. Unfractionated heparin was administered to achieve an activated clotting time of approximately 350 seconds. A distal embolic filter wire (Spider, EV3 Inc., Plymouth, MN)was then deployed in the distal segment of the both internal carotid arteries. Selective left subclavian angiography was then performed, confirming the pacemaker leads entry point in the subclavian artery, but no critical subclavian arterial stenosis. Unfractionated heparin was administered to achieve an activated clotting time of approximately 350 seconds.\nStylets were then advanced through the chronic transarterial leads, and after retracting the active fixation mechanism, gentle traction on the ventricular lead enabled withdrawal without requirement of laser extraction. Similarly, the atrial lead was manually withdrawn from the aortic root, and both leads were carefully pulled back until the tips were in close proximity to the insertion site of the subclavian artery. Over an antegradeguidewire, intravascular ultrasound was performed to ensure appropriate sizing for an 8mm x 60 mm self-expanding nitinol covered stent (Viabahn, W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, Arizona) placement. The stent was delivered and positioned between the proximal and distal insertion site margins and deployed immediately as the leads were withdrawn (). Angiography confirmed adequate stent expansion and no contrast extravasation. The distal embolic protection devices were subsequently withdrawn. Following the procedure, the patient remained hemodynamically stable, and recovery was uneventful without neurological or vascular complications.
A 75-year-old caucasian male patient with a diagnosis of dilative cardiomyopathy (echocardiographic biplane ejection fraction (EF) 23%) had sinus rhythm with left LBBB ECG (Figure a-b) (QRS with 136 ms) and a profound dyssynergic contraction profile. There was a history of Diabetes Typ II, hypertension and mild renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 1.63 mg/dl). Significant coronary artery disease had been excluded by angiography. Currently, he suffered from New York Heart Association (NYHA) III heart failure status and was admitted for implantation of a CRT – implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The operative procedure was unremarkable, although some difficulties advancing the right electrode into the right ventricle were reported. Chest X-ray after implantation (Figure a-b) excluded pneumothorax and electrodes appeared well placed. The patient was discharged one day after the procedure when the pacing ECG showed a narrowed QRS complex (Figure c-d) with optimal values of all three electrodes (Table ).\nOne month later on follow-up, the patient reported a marked improvement of his exercise capacity (NYHA II). Electrode values remained stable. An unscheduled echocardiogramm (Philips iE33) revealed a marked reduction of left ventricular dimensions with an improved monoplane ejection fraction (51%). However, through the mitral valve leaflets a thick electrode proceeded into the apex of the left ventricle. An additional transesophageal echocardiographic examination demonstrated the coronary sinus (CS) electrode in place (Figure a) but a malposition of the RV electrode passing the patent foramen ovale (PFO) via an Eustachian valve into the left ventricle (3 b-d).\nAfter studying the literature and informing the patient about possible consequences a revision procedure was performed. The RV electrode was easily removed from the left ventricle but could not be safely placed in the right heart without a sheat. A new electrode was advanced and fixed at the base of the right ventricle. Postprocedure chest x-ray (Figure c-d), ECG (Figure e-f), and measurements (Table ) all documented good results. This time a postprocedure echocardiogramm showed an intact mitral valve, persistent good left performance, and the RV electrode within the right heart.\nThis was a clinical study and no experimental work. No ethical committee had to be involved. Everything happened in the compliance with the Helsinki Declaration.