Malfunction of cardiac resynchronization therapy due to subsequent fracture of the ring and tip conductors of a co-radial left ventricular bipolar lead.

In two patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), left ventricular (LV) pacing failure occurred due to ring conductor fractures of the bipolar LV lead (co-radial model). CRT was resumed by pacing between the tip conductor of the LV lead and the coil conductor of the right ventricular lead. However, shortly thereafter, subsequent fracture of the tip conductor developed, and implantation of a new LV lead was required. When one of the bipolar conductors of a co-radial designed LV lead fractures, reimplantation of a new LV lead is a better therapeutic option (than changing the LV pacing mode) in order to reliably continue CRT treatment.