Introduction Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICD) provide an alternative to traditional transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (TV-ICD) and avoid complications associated with intravascular access and leads. They are highly effective in detecting and treating ventricular arrhythmias, with comparable inappropriate shock rates. Use of S-ICD is anticipated to i...

Association of Long vs StandardDetection Intervals for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators WithHospitalizations and Costs The roleof implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in reducing sudden and overall mortality is established.1 Recently, an ICD programming strategy that allows delayed detection of arrhythmiaswas shown to reduceunnecessary and inappropriate therapies.2,3 In this ex...

BACKGROUND Implantable transvenous cardioverter-defibrillators offer a significant opportunity to decrease procedural morbidity and medical costs in the care of patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias who otherwise would have required a sternotomy or thoracotomy for device insertion. The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively the safety, efficacy, and limitations asso...

N Engl J Med 2003;349:1836-47. Copyright © 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society. espite advances in emergency medical systems and in techniques of resuscitation, sudden death from cardiac arrest remains a major public health problem. Most persons who have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest do not survive. 1,2 Those who are resuscitated may have severe, long-term cognitive impairment and motor impa...

All of the prospective multicenter trials that support the use of implantable defibrillators have used single chamber pacemakers/implantable cardiovertor defibrillators (ICDs). Despite the significantly increased cost of dual chamber pacemaker/ICD devices and the lack of outcome data, these devices accounted for approximately two-thirds of the ICDs implanted in the United States during the 12 m...

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems are widely implemented in public spaces and can adversely affect the performance of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The interaction between implantable devices and EAS systems is a serious problem that can be minimized through appropriate facility design. Careful facility design and employee education along with patient vigil...

Syncopal spells in heart failure patient with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) require multiple assessments. T-wave oversensing is a well-described phenomenon that remains significant in modern implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) systems. It can lead to inappropriate therapies and loss of biventricular pacing in those with cardiac resynchronization devices. Strateg...

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...

Stored atrial and ventricular electrograms retrieved from dual chamber implantable defibrillators facilitate the diagnosis of arrhythmias. This case also illustrates the usefulness of programmed atrial and ventricular stimulation for noninvasive rhythm diagnosis in patients with a wide QRS tachycardia and an implantable defibrillator.