Pacemaker ventricular lead microdislodgement following a motor vehicle accident.

ABSTRACT

Pacemaker lead dislodgement can be defined as any lead position change, whether the functionality of the pacemaker is affected or not. Only dislodgements that provoke a malfunction in the pacing system, however, are clinically relevant. Lead dislodgement can be categorized as 'macro' or 'micro' dislodgement depending upon the presence of radiographic evidence. This case illustrates a case of lead microdislodgement after a low-impact motor vehicle accident. The lead tip was minimally displaced; enough to produce an increase in capture threshold and eventually loss of capture while keeping near normal lead impedance values. Review of the literature shows that ventricular lead dislodgement after a motor vehicle accident is a rare incidence and cause of pacemaker malfunction.