Chronic ventricular lead perforation: Expect the unexpected

Abstract

Key Clinical Message A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose a chronic right ventricular lead perforation. They should be suspected in patients who develop breathlessness and have a sudden change in pacing parameters. Contrast‐enhanced CT provides high diagnostic accuracy. They can often be extracted percutaneously and rarely require surgical intervention.

Keywords

• cardiac computer tomography
• chronic pacemaker lead perforation
• pacemaker complication
• transvenous lead extraction