Twiddler's syndrome: Between mechanical recoil and behavioral troubles

Abstract

A 72-year-old male with severe dilated cardiomyopathy, benefited of implantable cardiac defibrillator implementation. Device control shows high impedance. On X-ray, electrodes were completely twisted in the generator pocket, they were replaced and the generator was fixed to pectoralis-major fascia. Nurses report patient abnormal movements, scratching implantation area. This was identified as probably the trigger of the complication.

Keywords

• Twiddler's syndrome
• Implantable defibrillator
• Behavior troubles