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Unrecognized Failure of a Narrow Caliber Defibrillation Lead: The Role of Defibrillation Threshold Testing in Identifying an Unprotected Individual
Author(s) -
LEONG DARRYL P.,
ERVEN LIESELOT VAN
Publication year - 2012
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.1540-8159.2011.03321.x
Subject(s) - medicine , defibrillation , defibrillation threshold , ventricular fibrillation , cardiology , lead (geology) , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , intensive care medicine , medical emergency , geomorphology , geology
In this case report we describe a short circuit in the Riata 1570 defibrillator lead (Riata 1570, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) that was unsuspected owing to normal lead parameters until defibrillator threshold testing at the time of elective generator change. On this occasion, the short circuit manifested as unsuccessful defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation with immediate battery depletion. This report adds weight to existing concerns over narrow caliber leads, it draws attention to the possibility of lead malfunction despite unremarkable interrogation, and lastly it highlights the potential role of routine defibrillator threshold testing, particularly at elective generator change (an issue that remains sparingly addressed in the existing literature). (PACE 2012; 35:e154–e155)