Premium
Variability in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Pulse Generator Longevity Between Manufacturers
Author(s) -
ELLINOR PATRICK T.,
GUY MARY L.,
RUSKIN JEREMY N.,
MCGOVERN BRIAN A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2003.00153.x
Subject(s) - medicine , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , pulse generator , longevity , cardiology , battery (electricity) , pulse (music) , electrical engineering , gerontology , voltage , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
ELLINOR, P.T., et al .: Variability in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Pulse Generator Longevity Between Manufacturers.ICDs are used frequently to treat malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Despite the expanding role of these devices, little is known about the manufacturer variability in the performance of ICD generators. The purpose of this study is to explore the indications for ICD pulse generator replacement and to examine performance differences between the three major manufacturers of ICDs in the United States. The authors performed a retrospective review of ICD pulse generators that were implanted and replaced at Massachusetts General Hospital between February 1998 and March 2002. During the study period, 50 (7%) of the 707 devices in the study cohort were replaced. The most common indication for pulse generator replacement was related to battery performance followed by device recall, upgrade to a dual chamber device, and pulse generator malfunction. After exclusion of the recalled devices, a significantly higher number of pulse generators manufactured by St. Jude Medical (14/229) required replacement for battery depletion or prolonged charge times during the study period compared with devices from Guidant (2/220) or Medtronic (0/273),P = 0.003andP < 0.0001, respectively. This difference was attributable to reduced longevity in the Angstrom series of defibrillators. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:71–75)