Phantom shocks in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Phantom shock is the sensation of shock in the absence of an actual implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharge. The ICD is now the first-line therapy for patients with ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. There has been a significant increase in the number of patients with an ICD and patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) after a shock for evaluation and device interrogation. Phantom shock is more likely to be nocturnal in the first 6 months after implantation, and patients are more likely to be clinically depressed and have higher levels of anxiety. There is no specific treatment. We report 3 patients who presented to the ED with the sensation of ICD discharges, however, on device interrogation had no shocks and no dysrhythmias.
Juan
Emerson A
EA
Department of Emergency Medicine, York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania 17405, USA.
Pollack
Marc
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology*