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Multiple Inappropriate Shocks Precipitated by Interrogation of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Author(s) -
HUNN RICHARD H.,
ASHBAUGH TIMOTHY J.,
CALDERINI MARK,
ANDERSON KELLEY P.
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1998.tb00200.x
Subject(s) - medicine , interrogation , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , cardiology , medical emergency , archaeology , history
A 57‐year‐old man suffered multiple inappropriate shocks from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator that could not be inactivated because the magnet switch feature was deactivated. Attempts to interrogate the defibrillator caused shocks to be delivered. Emergent explantation was performed and a loose sensing lead was discovered. Sensing and defibrillation leads functioned normally, and testing of the explanted generator demonstrated no abnormalities. A new generator was put in place and the patient has been without shocks for 6 months. This case illustrates the need for robust methods of attenuating electromagnetic interference and the importance of multiple methods of device inactivation.