Aortic perforation due to cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator lead placement: Case report and medicolegal considerations

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2015 Source:Journal of Arrhythmia Author(s): Antonino M. Grande , Antonio Fiore , Maurizio Merlano , Fabio Buzzi , Alessandro Mazzola A 45-year-old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted for the upgrade of a previously implanted pacemaker. Echocardiography showed intraventricular dyssynchrony and a low ejection fraction (0.35). Treatment with a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) was selected and the device was implanted. CRT-D interrogation revealed proper function. Following procedure termination, the patient went into cardiac arrest and died despite resuscitation attempts. An autopsy revealed that the medial aspect of the right atrium was pierced by an active lead and that the aorta had a deep lesion, 2mm in length, on its lateral aspect. We explain the probable pathogenesis of this patient׳s death.
Source: Journal of Arrhythmia - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research