Implantable cardioverter defibrillator-related complications in the pediatric population.
BACKGROUND
The recognition that implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in children can prolong life coupled with the development of smaller devices and transvenous lead technology has increased the number of ICDs implanted in children and young adults.


METHODS
ICD complications in the pediatric population are reviewed.


RESULTS
ICD complications in the pediatric population include those related to the implantation procedure, the ICD system, as well as psychosocial issues. Inappropriate ICD therapy and ICD lead failures are the most frequent complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying complications is the prerequisite for advances in ICD technology and effective management strategies need to be developed to avoid their recurrence.
Shah
Maully J
MJ
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. shahm@email.chop.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult