Early pacemaker twiddler syndrome

Europace. 2003 Jul;5(3):279-81. doi: 10.1016/s1099-5129(03)00032-1.

Abstract

Twiddler's syndrome is a well-known complication of pacemaker treatment. It was first described by Bayliss et al. when a patient manipulated and rotated the pulse generator in the pocket so many turns that it resulted in lead dislodgment, diaphragmatic stimulation and loss of capture. In this case report we present a patient who managed to rotate her dual chamber pulse generator so quickly after implantation that exit block occurred within 17 h. She had wound the two leads as far as their tips in a perfect formation around the pulse generator.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / physiopathology
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / therapy*
  • Bradycardia / diagnostic imaging
  • Bradycardia / physiopathology
  • Bradycardia / therapy*
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / physiopathology
  • Heart Block / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Block / physiopathology
  • Heart Block / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Radiography
  • Syndrome