[Clinical analysis of inappropriate shock of implantable cardioverter defibrillators].
OBJECTIVE
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can effectively treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The most common side effect is inappropriate discharge. This study analyzes the incidence and causes of inappropriate discharges of ICD in our hospital.


METHODS
Forty-three patients implanted with ICD in our hospital from November 2001 to October 2007 were involved in our study. Patients were followed-up regularly. All episodes recorded and stored in the ICD were analyzed.


RESULTS
Seven of the 43 patients underwent ninety-six inappropriate discharges. Inappropriate discharges in six patients were caused by supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT). In one patient the discharge was caused by noise. Most inappropriate discharges occurred in the first year after implantation. The history of atrial fibrillation before implantation is an independent predictor of inappropriate discharges.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of inappropriate discharge is 16.3% in our study and the most common cause is SVT. Most inappropriate discharges occur in the first year after implantation. Patients with atrial fibrillation history have a higher risk of inappropriate discharges.
Cheng
Ling
L
Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Nie
Ru-qiong
RQ
Wang
Jing-feng
JF
Yuan
Wo-liang
WL
Zhou
Shu-xian
SX
Fang
Chang
C
D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged