Clinical use of automatic implantable defibrillators.
We implanted the automatic implantable defibrillator model B (AID-B) in 11 patients (pts). Seven pts had coronary disease with sustained VT, and/or VF. Two had syncopal VT due to primary cardiomyopathy, and two pts had syncopal torsades de pointes (Tdp) without cardiac disease (1 long QT syndrome). These arrhythmias occurred despite antiarrhythmic drugs or beta blockers. Four pts had implanted: an epicardial patch by thoracotomy, an intra-atrial string electrode by the jugular vein, then AID-B by abdominal route. In 7 pts, subcostal approach was used, for implanting simultaneously 2 epicardial patches and the AID-B itself. During the operation, VT, Tdp and/or VF were induced in all pts by 50 Hz alternating current. The defibrillation threshold (DT) between atrial catheter and epicardial patch was less than 15 J in 4 pts, and greater than 25 J in two, requiring a larger patch in 1, and replacement of atrial electrode by another patch in the 2nd pt to obtain a DT less than 20 J. In the 6 pts implanted with 2 patches, DT was always less than 25 J. In 3 pts, DT was markedly higher for VF (25 J) than for VT (less than 15 J). One pt died from pulmonary embolism, another died after 3 years, before replacement of a failing battery, and a third died from progressive congestive heart failure, 6 months later. Eight pts are alive with a follow-up greater than 6 months. Local aseptic reactions obliged a removal of the implant in 2 pts operated by bifocal approach, and none when the subcostal route was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Leclercq
J F
JF
Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France.
Menasché
P
P
Laborde
F
F
Coumel
P
P
Piwnica
A
A
Slama
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic