title: Inappropriate ICD shocks caused by T-wave oversensing due to acute alcohol intoxication.
abstract: T-wave oversensing can be a serious problem that often results in inappropriate device therapy. We report here a patient with binge alcohol use who received multiple, inappropriate ICD shocks due to T-wave oversensing from repolarization changes induced by acute alcohol intoxication and no other relevant metabolic derangements. Following recovery from his alcohol intoxication a few days later, the T-wave amplitude decreased so the device no longer inappropriately sensed or delivered therapies. This case represents an uncommon, but reversible, cause of T-wave oversensing that should be considered before more aggressive measures are taken to correct the abnormality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seton Hall University School of Heath & Medical Sciences, Trenton, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Suraj P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Rasania
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mountantonakis
authors.forename: Vickas V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*