[Incomplete lead fracture as a cause of bradyarrhythmia in patients with artificial pacemakers (author's transl)].

The fracture of a permanent cardiac pacing lead may be complete or incomplete. In the first case, the function of the pacemaker system will completely cease. An incomplete fracture, however, is defined as a capillary interruption of the wire and will lead to a loose connexion between both parts of the electrode.