title: [Initial clinical experiences with a transvenous-subcutaneous defibrillation system].
abstract: In 19 patients with an indication for an implantable defibrillator, it was tried to avoid thoracotomy by using two electrodes positioned via the subclavian vein in the right ventricle (for pacing, sensing, and defibrillation) and the superior vena cava or coronary sinus (for defibrillation), and one electrode positioned subcutaneously near the ventricular apex (for defibrillation). In 17 patients (89%) the transvenous-subcutaneous leads were implanted, whereas in the remaining two patients an epi-/pericardial lead system was subsequently used due to an insufficient defibrillation threshold. Perioperatively, no major complications were observed and patients were rapidly mobilized. Within a follow-up period of 7 +/- 4 months, no malfunction of the lead system became evident. Sixty-eight episodes of spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias occurred, all of which were successfully terminated. In one patient an infection of the lead system developed after 2 months that proved refractory to antibiotics and required surgical removal. Thus, transvenous-subcutaneous placement of leads for implantable defibrillators yielded a sufficient defibrillation threshold in the majority of patients. Long-term efficacy was excellent and no malfunctions were observed. This approach seems to be feasible and advisable in patients with an increased risk for thoracotomy.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Innere Medizin C, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borggrefe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Isbruch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hachenberg
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Scheld
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breithardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
vernacular_title: Erste klinische Erfahrungen mit einem transvenös-subkutanen Defibrillationssystem.