Lead to unusual places

Glutamate in unusual places

Glutamate in unusual places lutamate has a critical physiological function unrelated to its job as a neurotransmitter, according to results from M.M. Reddy and Paul Quinton (University of California, San Diego, CA). The duo find that glutamate activates an epithelial ion channel that is mutated in patients with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the CFTR anion channel, w...

Unusual embolization of a pacemaker lead fragment during lead extraction

In 2014, an 84-year-old man with pacemaker erosion was referred to our center. He underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 2008 for multivessel coronary artery disease. In 2009, he developed sick sinus syndrome and received a Biotronik Cylos 990 DR-T DDD pacemaker with a 7.2-F Biotronik Selox SR 53 active fixation atrial lead and a 4.8-F Sorin Xfine TX26D passive ventricular lead. In J...

Unusual lead helix damage due to ‘Selective’ Reel syndrome

Oblivious manipulation of the device by the patient is referred to as "Twiddler's" syndrome. It is characterized by the coiling of the pacemaker lead due to the rotation of the pacemaker generator on its long axis. However, the rotation of the pacemaker generator on its transverse axis with subsequent coiling of the pacemaker leads around the pulse generator is called as ''Reel syndrome''. In t...

Hidden threats: lead poisoning from unusual sources.

It has been estimated that 890 000 children in the United States have blood lead levels (BLLs) of 10 mg/dL, currently defined as a level of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 The proportion of US children aged 1 to 5 years with BLLs $10 mg/dL has decreased from 88.2% during the period from 1976 through 1980, to 4.4% during the period from 1991 through 1994.2 Altho...

[An unusual attempted suicide by lead poisoning].