Twiddler's syndrome after implantation of baroreflex activation therapy: a case report.

Baroreflex activation therapy Case report Lead fracture Twiddler’s syndrome

Journal

European heart journal. Case reports
ISSN: 2514-2119
Titre abrégé: Eur Heart J Case Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101730741

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
May 2021
Historique:
received: 05 11 2020
revised: 30 11 2020
accepted: 16 03 2021
entrez: 14 6 2021
pubmed: 15 6 2021
medline: 15 6 2021
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication after implantation of cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators that usually occurs within the first year after the procedure. However, it has not yet been described following implantation of baroreflex activation therapy (BAT). A 61-year-old female patient was referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic due to uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite maximal doses of several established drugs. Therefore, right-sided BAT implantation was successfully performed in February 2017 with good clinical response. Because of sustained neck pain at the site of stimulator, surgical revision was performed in November 2019 including a switch of the lead to the contralateral position. Approximately 1 month later, Twiddler's syndrome was identified on the basis of recurrent pain at the generator site necessitating pocket-revision, however, the lead was only untwisted but not replaced. A few weeks afterwards, unfortunately, lead revision was indispensable due to lead fracture. This case presents the uncommon phenomenon of Twiddler's syndrome after BAT implantation. In addition, the commonly twisted lead should always be replaced as well during surgical pocket-revision in order to ensure proper long-term function.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication after implantation of cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators that usually occurs within the first year after the procedure. However, it has not yet been described following implantation of baroreflex activation therapy (BAT).
CASE SUMMARY METHODS
A 61-year-old female patient was referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic due to uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite maximal doses of several established drugs. Therefore, right-sided BAT implantation was successfully performed in February 2017 with good clinical response. Because of sustained neck pain at the site of stimulator, surgical revision was performed in November 2019 including a switch of the lead to the contralateral position. Approximately 1 month later, Twiddler's syndrome was identified on the basis of recurrent pain at the generator site necessitating pocket-revision, however, the lead was only untwisted but not replaced. A few weeks afterwards, unfortunately, lead revision was indispensable due to lead fracture.
DISCUSSION CONCLUSIONS
This case presents the uncommon phenomenon of Twiddler's syndrome after BAT implantation. In addition, the commonly twisted lead should always be replaced as well during surgical pocket-revision in order to ensure proper long-term function.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34124559
doi: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab126
pii: ytab126
pmc: PMC8189308
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Pagination

ytab126

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

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Auteurs

Daniel Dalos (D)

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Cesar Khazen (C)

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Christoph Schukro (C)

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Marianne Gwechenberger (M)

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Classifications MeSH