Survival case of cardiac strangulation from epicardial pacemaker leads in an adult: A case report

Abstract

Cardiac strangulation from leads of an epicardial pacemaker is a rarely reported life-threatening complication. We report the case of a 72-year-old female with history of supraventricular tachycardia status post sino-atrial node ablation with epicardial pacemaker placement who presented to the outpatient setting with shortness of breath. Heart catheterization was performed which showed elevated right and left heart pressures. Compression involving the mid left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery was noted from an epicardial lead on coronary angiography consistent with cardiac strangulation. The patient was then referred to cardiothoracic surgery for epicardial pacemaker lead removal. The literature has only reported one other survival case of cardiac strangulation in an adult.