title: A subcutaneous lead array for implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
abstract: Two patients received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with the combination of a transvenous lead and a subcutaneous lead array with three branches. This approach allowed us to find low defibrillation thresholds in both patients (< or = 10 and < or = 15 joules [J], respectively), which was impossible with a transvenous catheter. In a third patient, a crinkled subcutaneous patch was replaced by an array. The defibrillation threshold with the array was < or = 20 J, as opposed to > 24 J with the patch. No surgical problems occurred. The subcutaneous array is a technical improvement for the therapy with implantable defibrillators, when a single catheter system is not sufficient to ensure a safety margin for defibrillation, or when surgical or postsurgical problems occur with a subcutaneous patch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jordaens
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vertongen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Belleghem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy