Follow-up X rays play a key role in detecting implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead fracture: a case of incessant inappropriate shocks due to lead fracture

• Published in: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology Vol. 26; no. 4 Pt 1; pp. 911 - 913
• Main Authors: Morishima, Itsuro, Sone, Takahito, Tsuboi, Hideyuki, Kondo, Junichiro, Mukawa, Hiroaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-2003
• Subjects: Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic - surgery; Defibrillators, Implantable - adverse effects; Equipment Failure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography, Thoracic
• ISSN: 0147-8389; 1540-8159
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2003.t01-1-00158.x

A patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) received incessant inappropriate shocks due to a lead fracture 3 years after implantation. Routine lead measurements at 3-month intervals had shown no abnormal findings even at the most recent measurement performed 2 months prior to the event. In contrast, serial observation of chest X rays clearly disclosed progressive lead narrowing starting 11 months prior to the event. This case indicates the importance of the routine chest X rays in long-term follow-up of ICDs and sets a precedent for interpreting lead narrowing in such X rays.