PACING FAILURE CAUSED BY AN INSULATION DEFECT IN A POLYURETHANE LEAD

Abstract

Four J-shaped 6991-U atrial polyurethane leads (Medtronic) were implanted in our clinic between 1980 and 1982. All of them have shown the pacing failure, sensing failure and early battery depletion due to insulation disruption between 2 and 45 postoperative menths. We strongly suggest to replace the lead as soon as pacing and sensing failure, sudden decrease of lead impedance (below 250 ohm) and pacing threshold are recognized.