title: Legal aspects in implantable defibrillator extraction.
abstract: At the Institute of Legal Medicine in Chieti, a case of iatrogenic superior vena cava perforation was observed during laser extraction of an infected biventricular implantable cardiac defibrillator. The presentation of this particular case represented a starting point for studying the occurrence of similar complications in literature, since their knowledge and understanding should induce resolution of any organisation problems, aid in increasing physicians' training and impose the availability of cardiac surgeons during such operations.
authors.affiliation: Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Ovidio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vellante
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carnevale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: ICD; hemopericardium; superior vena cava perforation