INTRODUCTION The implantable cardioverter defibrillator had been increasing the survival of patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death. The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator was developed to mitigate the complications inherent to lead placement into cardiovascular system. OBJECTIVE To report the initial experience of 18 consecutive cases of subcutaneous implantable cardi...

The DF-4 connector is a novel industry standard for the connection of a defibrillator lead to the generator. It aims at reducing the bulk created by two or three pins at the proximal end of the defibrillator lead and its corresponding ports at the header of the device. Having only one connection port between the lead and the device reduces the material in the pocket, the risk of lead-to-port mi...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a frequent cause of sudden death. Clinical practice guidelines indicate defibrillator implantation for primary prevention in patients with 1 or more risk factors and for secondary prevention in patients with a history of aborted sudden death or sustained ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to analyze the follow-up ...

A 78-year-old man presents to establish care on his implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy–defibrillator. He has history of permanent atrial fibrillation, ischemic cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block, and chronic New York Heart Association functional class III congestive heart failure. He had primary prevention cardiac resynchronization therapy–defibrillator implanted 2 years ago and ...

Extraction of cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIED) is becoming an increasing necessity. Infection is among the most frequent and serious complications associated with the surge of CIED implants. We describe the extraction of an infected cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) in a patient with a tunneled implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead implanted from t...

BACKGROUND Dysrhythmia is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death worldwide. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is the most effective method of treatment for dysrhythmias causing cardiac arrest. However, living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is associated with challenges such as fear, anxiety, and depression. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to ide...

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of infection after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator and the management of this complication. SUBJECTS 335 consecutive patients who had a cardioverter-defibrillator implanted between January 1984 and December 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of infection within the first month after implantation (early infection) and after the first month...

Like any other foreign bodies, implanted cardiac devices can become infected. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphilococci are the most common causes of infections of pacemaker and defibrillator systems. In this case an implantable cardioverter defibrillator pocket infection caused by an extremely rare microorganism, Klebsiella pneumonia, is presented.