Erosion of the left ventricle by the epicardial patch of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
A 56 year old man with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was admitted with chest pain and collapse. Erosion of the left ventricle by an epicardial patch was confirmed by thoracotomy, but surgical repair was impossible. This rare complication should be considered in patients with a history of cardioverter defibrillators implanted by thoracotomy.
Sutton
A G
AG
Cardiothoracic Division, South Cleveland Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK.
McComb
J M
JM
de Belder
M A
MA
D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed