ICD implantation -- between necessity and tragedy.
We report on a 42-year-old patient with known dilative cardiomyopathy who underwent placement of a multiple transvenous pacemaker and ICD electrodes, and required removal of all leads via median sternotomy, followed by placement of epicardial electrodes. This experience has led us to question the necessity of the current implantation policies for these systems.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefässchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany. schmid@uni-muenster.de
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Schmid
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Rothenburger
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Rukosujew
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Scheld
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*