Implantation of active can implantable defibrillators in the right pectoral region.
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.
Jensen
S M
SM
Department of Medicine B, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. steen.jensen@medicin.umu.se
Pietersen
A
A
Chen
X
X
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*