Erosions of epicardial defibrillator patch into the airways

Steve Vu, Sebastian Fernandez-Bussy, James K. Smith, Paul Dainer, Michael A. Jantz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report a rare case of airway erosion resulting from the migration of an epicardial defibrillator patch. The patient is a middle age gentleman who had multiple implantable cardiac defibrillators placed for management of ventricular arrhythmias secondary to nonischemic cardiomyopathy. His original defibrillator used epicardial patches. He presented with symptoms of recurrent hemoptysis and chest pain, and received several courses of antibiotics for repeated left side pneumonia. The patient was found to have erosion of an epicardial defibrillator patch and wire into the lingular and left lower lobe bronchi, respectively. Because of his severe cardiomyopathy and extensive fibrosis involving the defibrillator components, he was deemed to be a high risk surgical candidate for device explantation. He declined surgery and subsequently presented with massive hemoptysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-53
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Bronchology
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Airway erosion
  • Epicardial defibrillator
  • Massive hemoptysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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