Transient ischaemic attack due to the lead of an implantable defibrillator in the left heart

Abstract

A frequently underdiagnosed complication of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead implantation is the unintentional advancement of the leads into the systemic circulation. We report a case encountered in our clinic in a 70-year old man evaluated in a neighbouring clinic with symptoms of transient ischaemic attack with initially unclear aetiology. Posterior-anterior chest X-rays suggested that the lead was in the left heart. This finding was confirmed by transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. © 2011 The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.