The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: management issues relevant to the emergency care provider.
The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) is being used more frequently in patients with recurrent malignant arrhythmias refractive to sophisticated antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Such patients often present to emergency facilities with cardiac and/or device related complaints. Both "appropriate" and "inappropriate" AICD pulsing can result in patient adversity. For this reason AICD generator deactivation is indicated in certain clinical conditions once a controlled and properly equipped medical environment is assured. This report discusses a number of relevant emergent management issues concerning this beneficial device.
Higgins
G L
GL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland 04102.
D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000628:therapy*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology*