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Tricuspid Regurgitation Following Implantation of a Pacemaker/Cardioverter-Defibrillator

  • Echocardiography (RM Lang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Tricuspid regurgitation due to permanent pacemaker/defibrillator lead implantation (LITR) has been described more than 3 decades ago, but has come into attention recently due to the dramatic increase in the use of these devices. This entity has not been well defined and its impact on the patient and the health care system is largely unknown. This complication can have important implications. First, the presence and severity of tricuspid regurgitation in general is associated with reduced patient survival, and in the severe cases may require corrective surgery. Second, with the increasing age of the population and the expanding indications of these devices, one expects to encounter many more cases of LITR in the future. Third, this is an iatrogenic complication and therefore potentially preventable. This review discusses the prevalence, mechanisms, and risk factors of LITR as well as the management and potential strategies to prevent its occurrence.

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Conflict of Interest

Maha A. Al-Mohaissen declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Kwan Leung Chan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Room H3412, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4W7, Canada

    Maha A. Al-Mohaissen & Kwan Leung Chan

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  1. Maha A. Al-Mohaissen
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  2. Kwan Leung Chan
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Correspondence to Kwan Leung Chan.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Echocardiography

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Al-Mohaissen, M.A., Chan, K.L. Tricuspid Regurgitation Following Implantation of a Pacemaker/Cardioverter-Defibrillator. Curr Cardiol Rep 15, 357 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0357-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0357-3

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