A Rare Case of Very Early Pacemaker Twiddler's Syndrome

Abstract

Twiddler's syndrome, a rare but potentially lethal complication of cardiac pacemaker treatment, is generally diagnosed within the first year of implantation. It is characterized by device malfunction due to dislodgement of cardiac leads resulting from some form of manipulation by the patient. In this report we present a patient who was diagnosed Twiddler's syndrome within the initial 48 h of implantation of permanent pacemaker. In our case, passive fixation of ventricular lead perpetuated this situation and subsequent active fixation prevented any recurrence. Active fixations fixations of device leads are very much essential to prevent this catastrophic complication.

INTRODUCTION

Twiddler's syndrome, first described by Bayliss in 1968, is a rare but potentially lethal complication of pacemaker treatment.[1] In this syndrome there is painless dislodgment of device leads resulting from the patient's manipulation of the implanted device. The majority of patients with this condition are diagnosed within the first year of implant.[2] In this report we present a patient who was diagnosed with Twiddler's syndrome within 48 hours of implantation of the permanent pacemaker.

CASE REPORT

A 66-year-old post-CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting), nondiabetic, nonhypertensive, male patient with good left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction 60%) was admitted with symptomatic intermittent complete heart block. Baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed complete RBBB (right bundle branch block) with left axis deviation. A DDDR (dual chamber rate adaptive pacemaker) system was implanted in the right prepectoral area with a bipolar passive fixation ventricular lead and an active fixation bipolar screwing atrial lead at right atrial appendage. Measured ventricular lead R wave, threshold and lead impedance were 14 mV, 0.5 V, and 640 ohm, respectively. Atrial lead P wave, threshold, and lead impedance were 3.5 mV, 0.5 V, and 590 ohm, respectively. The implantation procedure was uneventful. Postoperative fluoroscopic images confirmed the satisfactory positioning of both the atrial and ventricular leads. An ECG also corroborated proper functioning of the DDDR system.

During the postoperative hospital stay, a routine chest skyagram on 2^nd day revealed dislodgment of ventricular lead. Pacemaker interrogation showed complete loss of pacing and sensing in ventricular lead with intact atrial lead function. The patient was immediately rushed to the pacing laboratory where a prophylactic temporary pacemaker was inserted. Fluoroscopy clearly showed the pulse-generator with twisted ventricular lead around it [Figure 1]. The atrial lead was seen to be in position but the initial loop was drastically reduced [Figure 2]. A diagnosis of pacemaker Twiddler's syndrome was made. The patient denied any manipulation of the pulse-generator.

Figure 1.

Fluoroscopic image showing the pulse-generator with twisted ventricular lead around it. The atrial lead can also be traced

Figure 2.

The atrial lead is shown to be in position, although the loop originally kept was reduced significantly. The temporary pacemaker lead can also be identified lower down

The pacemaker pocket was immediately reopened. The old ventricular lead was taken out. A new active fixation screwing ventricular lead was inserted. The old atrial lead was repositioned with an appropriate loop. Both the leads were found to have good sensing and pacing parameters. The pulse-generator was fixed on the pectoral muscle with nonabsorbable suture. Postoperative hospital stay was uneventful and the patient was doing well in subsequent follow-ups.

DISCUSSION

The reported frequency of Twiddler's syndrome is around 0.07-7%.[3,4] Risk factors for this condition include elderly age group, obesity, female gender, psychiatric illness, and the small size of the implanted device relative to its pocket.[3,5,6] Pacemaker lead displacement according to its position may produce failure to pace, diaphragmatic contraction by phrenic nerve stimulation, vagus nerve, pectoral muscle, or brachial plexus stimulation resulting in rhythmic arm twitching and finally may wrap around the pulse-generator as in our case.[7] Older literature suggests a subgroup of partial Twiddler's syndrome where capturing function is maintained.[8] Although originally described with pacemakers, the condition has also been reported with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.[2,3,5]

Although the majority of cases occur during the first year of implantation, a "late Twiddler's syndrome" has also been reported.[9] So far the earliest reported case is at 17 h.[3] Our patient was detected to have Twiddler's syndrome within 48 h of implantation. The majority, like our patient, deny any history of manipulation of the device.[7] The presence of heavy dressing also probably precluded him from any manipulation, so other factors such as movement of the body may have some role in this peculiar syndrome.

Minimizing the pocket size and suturing the device generally prevent the development of this syndrome. Some authorities have advocated the use of a Dacron patch, which stabilizes the pulse-generator by promoting tissue in-growth, in all cases of device implantation.[10] Active fixations of leads are also encouraged. In our patient, there was no dislodgement of atrial screwing lead initially, and after active fixation of ventricular lead the situation did not recur in the subsequent follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication of permanent pacemaker implantation with potential catastrophic consequences. Active fixation of device leads should always be performed to prevent this situation along with other preventive measures.