Progressive cardiac strangulation by an epicardial lead in a single-ventricle patient: a case report

We report a 24-year-old male with functional single ventricle who developed ventricular dysfunction associated with strangulation by a previous epicardial pacemaker lead. During conversion to dual-chamber pacing, the constricting ventricular lead was removed, with intraoperative echocardiography demonstrating improvement in apical contraction. Relief of mechanical compression, together with restoration of atrioventricular synchrony, likely contributed to the recovery of ventricular function.