L. Bittinger

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Using a PFO Closure Device

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is commonly performed using umbrella-shaped devices. However, the utility of such devices is highly dependent on the underlying anatomy of the appendage. For the first time, we report the use of an Occlutech PFO closure device to successfully occlude a left atrial appendage that possessed a circumferential ridge at its mouth. PFO closure devices would also be suitable for the occlusion of left atrial appendages when an incomplete surgical closure results in a circumferential ridge.

Pacemaker-mediated arrhythmias

Pacemakers can be directly involved in initiating or sustaining different forms of arrhythmia. These can cause symptoms such as dyspnea, palpitations, and decompensated heart failure. Early detection of these arrhythmias and optimal pacemaker programming is pivotal. The aim of this review article is to summarize the different types of pacemaker‐mediated arrhythmias, their predisposing factors, and mechanisms of prevention or termination.

A Twist in the Heart

A 69 year-old obese female with poorly controlled ventricular rates in atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent single chamber pacemaker implantation followed by an atrioventricular node ablation one month later. The chest X-ray performed after the ablation showed the header of pulse generator facing medially (arrow) with satisfactory right ventricular, mid-septal lead positioning (Fig. 1A). During a coronary angiogram for angina six months later, the right anterior fluoroscopic view of the pacing lead showed a double twist within the right atrium (arrow) (Fig. 1B). In addition, the pulse generator had flipped horizontally (arrow) (Fig. 1C). The patient denied ‘twiddling’ with the device. Fortunately, pacemaker lead function remained normal. Traditional Twiddler’s syndrome occurs when circular rotation of the device retracts the leads out of the heart with leads