Key result
A 61-year-old female patient developed Twiddler's syndrome and subsequent lead fracture after implantation of baroreflex activation therapy for uncontrolled arterial hypertension.
Why the study?
Twiddler's syndrome had not yet been described following the implantation of baroreflex activation therapy.
Case Report (n=1)
This case report highlights that Twiddler's syndrome can occur following baroreflex activation therapy implantation, suggesting that twisted leads should be replaced during pocket revision to prevent fracture.
Twiddler's syndrome may complicate BAT; leaves open whether device-specific surveillance protocols are needed.
BACKGROUND: Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication after implantation of cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators that usually occurs within the first year after the procedure. However, it has not yet been described following implantation of baroreflex activation therapy (BAT). CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old female patient was referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic due to uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite maximal doses of several established drugs. Therefore, right-sided BAT implantation was successfully performed in February 2017 with good clinical response. Because of sustained neck pain at the site of stimulator, surgical revision was performed in November 2019 including a switch of the lead to the contralateral position. Approximately 1 month later, Twiddler's syndrome was identified on the basis of recurrent pain at the generator site necessitating pocket-revision, however, the lead was only untwisted but not replaced. A few weeks afterwards, unfortunately, lead revision was indispensable due to lead fracture. DISCUSSION: This case presents the uncommon phenomenon of Twiddler's syndrome after BAT implantation. In addition, the commonly twisted lead should always be replaced as well during surgical pocket-revision in order to ensure proper long-term function.
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Dalos et al. (2021) conducted a case report in Uncontrolled arterial hypertension (n=1). Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) implantation was evaluated on Twiddler's syndrome and lead fracture. A 61-year-old female patient developed Twiddler's syndrome and subsequent lead fracture after implantation of baroreflex activation therapy for uncontrolled arterial hypertension.
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