
Concept of defibrillation vector in the management of high defibrillation threshold
Author(s) -
Kevin Hayes,
Abhishek Deshmukh,
Sadip Pant,
Gareth Tobler,
Hakan Paydak
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
world journal of cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1949-8462
DOI - 10.4330/wjc.v5.i4.106
Subject(s) - defibrillation , medicine , defibrillation threshold , ventricle , generator (circuit theory) , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , electromagnetic coil , cardiology , electrical engineering , power (physics) , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
We present a case where defibrillation threshold was dangerously elevated to the point that the patient had no safety margin, and his implantable cardioverter-defibrillator generator was discovered to have migrated. Generator migration reduces the distance between the can and the coil, effectively creating a smaller bipolar current and sparing the left ventricle from the current needed for defibrillation. This case underscores the importance of securing the generator in place, as this patient would have been spared multiple shocks and an invasive medical procedure had his generator been better secured.