Implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker in a patient with dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome: a case report

Abstract

Dextrocardia is a congenital abnormal position of the heart in which the main part of the heart is in the right chest, and the long axis of the heart points to the lower right. Cases of a combination of dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome are rare. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital with palpitations and dizziness for 1 week. Mirror-image dextrocardia and sick sinus syndrome were diagnosed by an electrocardiogram, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and X-rays. Finally, we successfully implanted a dual-chamber pacemaker into the patient. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged when her symptoms had greatly improved 1 week later. When dextrocardia is present, using active fixation leads in the atrial and ventricular leads is easier for finding the pacing position with optimal sensing and pacing thresholds, and they reduce the incidence of falling off.