Sudden cardiac arrest in an epicardial paced-dependent child: watch out, it's a pitfall!

Cardiol Young. 2021 Mar;31(3):482-484. doi: 10.1017/S1047951120004035. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Abstract

Coronary artery compression by epicardial leads is a rare complication in children and can be difficult to identify with potentially lethal outcomes. Herein, we report the case of a previously asymptomatic paced-dependant 5-year-old girl who presented to our institution with resuscitated cardiac arrest. We describe the atypical sequence of clinical findings misleading initial diagnosis. Hardware failure and the commonly occurring lead fracture were incriminated in the mechanism of cardiac arrest, precipitating implantation of a new pacing system while concealing dynamic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Keywords: Pacemaker; cardiac arrest; children; coronary artery compression; epicardial lead.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Vessels
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Treatment Outcome