Thinking inside the box: Custom pacemaker improves device longevity in a congenital heart patient

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2020 Aug;31(8):2213-2215. doi: 10.1111/jce.14603. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Abstract

Patients with congenital heart disease have unique pacing challenges and often require epicardial systems. High pacing threshold is one of the major factors that decrease these systems' durability. Sometimes surgical reintervention or lead replacement is difficult or prohibitive in these patients due to repeated surgeries and extensive epicardial scar. We present a case report of a patient with Fontan physiology and chronically high epicardial lead pacing thresholds requiring frequent generator changes and a unique solution focusing on improving generator longevity.

Keywords: congenital heart disease; custom device; epicardial leads, fontan; pacemaker.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fontan Procedure* / adverse effects
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Longevity
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Pericardium / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies