In this article, the reader will get some insights into managing patient with implantable cardiac devices while undergoing noncardiac surgery. We will review basic concepts regarding normal function of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, understanding how their function will be influenced during noncardiac surgeries. You will be guided through management steps from preoperat...

Sudden cardiac deaths, which account for approximately 350 000 deaths each year, is a major health care problem. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been reliable in preventing sudden cardiac death. Although β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and revascularization play a role in prevention of sudden cardiac death, the development and subsequent refinement of the implantable cardiov...

The identification of a heart problem in a child can create fear and uncertainty for parents. This patient page will address some common questions from parents of school-age children who require therapy with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). It is intended to be a parental resource to promote understanding and confidence in children and young adults to live successfully with an ICD.

We examined the feasibility of using a standby automatic implantable defibrillator and established thresholds for internal defibrillation. The implantable defibrillator senses ventricular fibrillation and delivers an electrical impulse for defibrillation. Two lead systems for the device have been investigated. System I consists of two 12-cm2 silicone-covered titanium mesh patches attached to th...

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is an inherited heart muscle disorder, predisposing to sudden cardiac death, particularly in young patients and athletes. Pathological features include loss of myocytes and fibrofatty replacement of right ventricular myocardium; biventricular involvement is often observed. It is a cell-to-cell junction cardiomyopathy, typically caused by genetically determined abno...

The use of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with structural heart disease remains reserved primarily for those who experience repeated implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks despite pharmacological and attempted pacing therapy. This fact is confirmed by the comprehensive 8-year report of the experience with VT ablation by the group from the Brigham and Womens’ Hospital.1...

When Michel Mirowski initially conceived of the implantable defibrillator the aim was to protect the patient at risk of sudden arrhythmic death. In the late 1960s, when Mirowski and co-workers projected the development of an automatic implantable defibrillator, out-of hospital resuscitation was a rare event. However, the out-of-hospital resuscitation initiatives led by investigators from Seattl...

BACKGROUND The number of patients with longer follow-up after implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is increasing continuously. Defibrillation lead failure is a typical long-term complication. Therefore, the long-term reliability of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads has become an increasing concern. The aim of the present study was to assess the annual rate of tra...

the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (icd) has currently become the standard treatment for preventing sudden cardiac death. there are some psychological consequences in patients with icd such as posttraumatic stress disorder (ptsd) after the shocks induced by icd. this report aimed to present the case of a 54-year-old man with icd who had developed ptsd; his ptsd was treated, using cognit...