Displaced AICD Lead Presenting as Hiccups: A Rare Complication

Abstract

Ventricular fibrillation can lead to sudden cardiac death. Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) devices have shown to be highly successful in the termination of these arrhythmias and are a first-line modality of treatment for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. We present the case of a 69-year-old female with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation with apixaban and rate controlled with metoprolol who presented from home with a chief complaint of hiccups. She had a prior admission to the hospital after she was found to have monomorphic ventricular tachycardia during a nuclear stress test. A cardiac work-up including cardiac catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging did not show any evidence of significant coronary artery disease or reversible cardiomyopathy. The patient underwent successful placement of a single chamber ICD and was discharged home. Twelve weeks after placement of the AICD, the patient was lifting furniture and experienced sudden onset of hiccups. A chest X-ray showed displacement of the AICD lead from the right ventricular apex to the superior vena cava. The patient underwent lead repositioning with complete resolution of her hiccups. The etiology hiccups was suspected to be secondary to irritation of the right phrenic nerve which travels along the anterolateral border of the superior vena cava. We present the case of hiccups following ICD lead displacement. This serves to highlight a rare complication of ICD displacement that healthcare providers should consider when patients with recently placed ICD devices complain of hiccups.