Surgical experience with right atrial-aortic fistula and penetration of the superior vena cava by a protruding Accufix atrial J-shaped retention wire.

A 57-year-old woman who had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted in June 1990 for sick sinus syndrome had developed heart failure since 1993. Although fluoroscopy revealed that the proximal J-shaped retention wire of the lead had fractured and had protruded through the outer insulation in 1994, and also that the distal J-shaped retention wire of the lead had protruded through the outer insulation in 1997, a transthoracic echocardiographic examination diagnosed tricuspid valve regurgitation, suggesting that the right atrial-aortic fistula might have been overlooked. In an attempt to avoid migration of the J-shaped retention wire from the lead and to repair the tricuspid regurgitation, it was decided that an operation be performed; however, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed a right atrial-aortic fistula. Intraoperative inspection also revealed that the right atrial-aortic fistula and penetration of the superior vena cava had been caused by the Accufix atrial J-shaped retention wire. Under total cardiopulmonary bypass and induced cardiac arrest, a right atriotomy was performed and the atrial and ventricular leads were removed from the tips. The atrial orifice of the fistula and the aortic orifice were closed. Finally, a new dual-chamber pacing system with bipolar epicardial pacing leads was implanted. Postoperative inspection revealed that the proximal retention wire had fractured, the tip of the retention wire had protruded through the outer insulation, and the distal J-shaped outer insulation was damaged.