title: Implantation of active can implantable defibrillators in the right pectoral region.
abstract: Routinely the active can ICD is placed in the left side pectoral position, which theoretically gives optimal conditions for a low defibrillation threshold. Some patients, however, demand a right pectoral position, which possibly could result in a higher defibrillation threshold. A right pectoral position was used in 3 of 85 active can ICDs implanted in our institution from 1994. The DFT was 12 J in two and 18 J in one patient. Thus, right pectoral implantation is feasible and offers an alternative approach in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. steen.jensen@medicin.umu.se
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pietersen
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000628:therapy*