Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks in Dying Patients

Improper Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shocks

The second ECG recorded supraventricular tachycardia at the time his hemodynamic status deteriorated and decision was made to perform electrical cardioversion with 120 Joules of biphasic synchronized direct current with follow up ECG that showed atrial paced rhythm (Figure 1B). His condition improved and started on amiodarone 200 mg, anticoagulation, and subsequent follow up for ICD reprogrammi...

Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks

Results A total of 1,544 ICD patients (79% male, age 61 13 years) were included in the analysis. During the follow-up period of 41 18 months, 13% experienced 1 inappropriate shocks. The cumulative incidence steadily increased to 18% at 5-year follow-up. Independent predictors of the occurrence of inappropriate shocks included a history of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.0, p 0.01) and...

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in dying patients: disturbing data from beyond the grave.

I mplantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are well documented to save lives in many patient groups for primary and secondary prevention; however, although the ICD is highly effective at preventing sudden death, everyone will die eventually, whether of underlying heart disease or other terminal illness such as malignancy. As the population of patients living with ICDs expanded, case report...

Prognostic Significance of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a patient with dextrocardia situs inversus

Background: Dextrocardia is a congenital anomaly, which may have coexistent coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias and conventional indications for device therapy. However, the implantation of transvenous leads can be technically challenging and the approach needs to be tailored to the patient's individual anatomy. Case presentation: A 54-year-old male with dextrocardia situs inversus and i...