Entrapment of Permanent Pacemaker Lead as the Cause of Tricuspid Regurgitation Role of 3-Dimensional Echocardiography

Abstract

Transthoracic 2-dimensional (D) echocardiography (echo) is often used to assess tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after implantation of permanent pacemakers. However, its ability to define the precise anatomical relationship between the tricuspid valve and the pacemaker lead is quite limited. This report presents a 58-year-old male with aggravation of TR after pacemaker implantation for heart block. Three-D echo precisely depicted the entrapment of the lead shaft in the fused and fibrotic septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets. The patient underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty and the symptoms of right heart failure improved soon after the operation.