Lead Macrodislodgement of a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Results in a Reel Problem

Lead macrodislodgement is a rare complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices associated with patient-related risk factors. This paper outlines a case of reel syndrome secondary to device manipulation 3 months after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation and describes the challenges with lead macrodislodgement diagnosis, mechanisms, and management. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

A Presentation of Twiddler's Syndrome with Underlying Ratchet Mechanism

Twiddler's syndrome, reel syndrome, and ratchet phenomenon are rare causes of pacemaker lead displacement. The presentation of Twiddler's syndrome with underlying ratchet mechanism is quite rarely reported in literature. In this case report we present a 63-year-old male with a history of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy who had his biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads dislodged and presented as sub-acute exacerbation of heart failure. This case highlights the underlying mechanism of twiddler's syndrome, its clinical presentation, management, and prevention.

Reel Syndrome: An Atypical Cause for Inappropriate Shocks in a Patient with Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD)

A 71-year-old woman, with the past medical history of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) placement (for low EF 5-10%) in 2015, presented in February 2017 with the complaint of AICD shocks following an episode of vomiting. She denied any chest pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, palpitation, or dizziness. Electrocardiogram (EKG) on admission showed ectopic atrial rhythm with premature ventricular contractions in bigeminies, anterior fascicular block, and left axis deviation. On examination of the cardiovascular system, there was a normal S1 heart sound with a loud A2. There was no jugular venous distention on the neck or pitting edema on the legs. Laboratory studies showed no elevation of cardiac enzymes. Evaluation with chest x-ray showed the right ventricular lead had migrated to the right atrium and the defibrillator generator was flipped with leads coiled around it in transverse axis. AICD interrogation was performed which revealed inappropriate shocks were due to atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate and loss of capture of the right ventricular lead. The diagnosis of Reel syndrome was made, and an electrophysiologist was consulted for replacement of the AICD.

Reel syndrome is a variant of Twiddler’s syndrome, which is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation. It manifests with the rotation of generator on transverse axis with leads coiling around it. Twiddler’s syndrome, on the other hand, is the rotation of the generator on its long axis, which causes damage to the leads by twisting. Reel syndrome is usually observed within months from the placement of the generator compared to Twiddler, which takes years to occur. Twiddler and Reel's syndromes have similar contributing factors, such as female gender, obesity, large pocket, old age, dementia, and deep brain stimulation. Our patient only had two risk factors, namely, the sex and age.

We propose that every patient with a pacemaker malfunction and AICD shocks should have a posterior-anterior (PA) chest x-ray and a lateral chest x-ray in addition to AICD interrogation. Twiddler’s syndrome is effortlessly observed because of the twisting of dual leads compared to Reel syndrome, which is not straightforward because of the lack tortuosity of the leads.

Idiopathic Lead Migration: Concept and Variants of an Uncommon Cause of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

This cumulative case study was performed to properly address the possible mechanisms, forms, and consequences of "twiddler's," "reel," and "ratchet" syndromes.

BACKGROUND

Twiddler's, reel, and ratchet syndromes are rare entities responsible for lead displacement of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED).

METHODS

From 2007 to 2012, 1,472 CIED were implanted at our center. Eighty-nine cases were reviewed for failure of pacing circuit integrity. Only 9 met the inclusion criteria for idiopathic lead migration (ILM) and were grouped as ILM (twiddler) or ILM (reel). For a pooled analysis of cases, a review of the literature from 1990 to 2012 was performed, and the authors identified 78 cases from 64 publications.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 87 cases (45 women; median age, 66 years; 46 with ILM [twiddler] and 41 with ILM [reel]). Migration affected only 1 lead in 65% of 46 devices with more than 1 lead. None of the previously reported risk factors-manual manipulation of the device, elderly age, obesity, oversized pocket, and psychiatric history-correlated with the risk of ILM.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither manual manipulation of the device nor the other traditional risk factors reported in the literature for ILM syndrome correlated with the risk of ILM.