Successful percutaneous retrieval of a leadless pacemaker due to an acute rise in pacing threshold

Abstract

Leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCP) have become available recently. Both its acute and long-term performance in a large population of patients remain to be tested. Subacute rise in pacing threshold has been reported as an uncommon complication. On the other hand, the retrieval technique for LCP with passive fixation mechanism has not been previously described in details. Herein we report a newly recognized complication of an acute rise in pacing threshold very soon after implantation of an LCP without radiographic dislodgement. Percutaneous retrieval of this LCP with passive fixation mechanism was successful using a novel technique with the cryoballoon steerable sheath and a snare. Keywords: Leadless pacemaker, Percutaneous retrieval, Pacing threshold, Bradycardia, Dislodgement