A Rare Complication of Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Placement.

Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) are a popular and effective option in heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction patients. Although frequently underdiagnosed, inadvertent malposition can lead to endocardial damage and thrombotic events. As ICD implants tend to increase in the following years, the recognition of their complications is critical. The authors present a case of a 64-year-old female with advanced heart failure and ICD malposition. This accidental discovery was denounced by the presence of a right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern and later confirmed by echocardiography which showed the lead tip in contact with the midsegment of the left ventricular anterolateral wall. As the patient's hospitalization was complicated with refractory ascites and cardiogenic shock, she underwent cardiac transplantation, with no recurrence of heart failure symptoms. An electrocardiogram showing a RBBB pattern during VVI pacing should arise the suspicion of inadvertent incorrect placement of a pacing/ICD lead. The many facets of echocardiography should be used for the diagnosis of this complication, as they were paramount in this case, as highlighted.

Closure of bronchopleural fistula by a septal occluder device: a case for close collaboration between heart and lung specialists.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman who underwent right inferior lobectomy for pulmonary carcinoma and developed persistent bronchopleural fistula (BPF) that was not amenable to surgical intervention (two surgical failures). The patient presented with a persistent cough and dyspnoea, which was treated with a hybrid procedure using fluoroscopy and bronchoscopy. A 7 mm Amplatzer septal occluder device (ASOD) was successfully inserted into the BPF. Two weeks after the procedure, a small fistula developed, which was treated by endoscopically guided biologic glue embolisation. At 2-month, 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits, clinical examinations and endoscopic imaging confirmed the complete occlusion of the BPF. Obvious migration of the ASOD was not apparent, and the patient has remained asymptomatic. The success of an endoscopic BPF closure with the use of hybrid techniques was achieved because of a collaborative effort by a multidisciplinary team.