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Europace 2005 7(1):85-86; doi:10.1016/j.eupc.2004.05.010
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© 2005 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

IMAGES IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY/PACING

Acupuncture triggering inappropriate ICD shocks

Ernest W. Lau*, David H. Birnie, Robert Lemery, Anthony S.L. Tang and Martin S. Green

University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Room H145 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4W7, Canada

Manuscript submitted 25 April 2004. Accepted after revision 4 May 2004.

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 613 761 4914; fax: +1 613 761 4407. E-mail address: elau{at}ottawaheart.ca (E. W. Lau).

Abstract

Acupuncture is a modality of alternative medicine popular certain sectors of society. The possible interaction between acupuncture and ICD therapy has not been previously investigated. A case of acupuncture triggering inappropriate shocks from the ICD is reported.

Key Words: ICD, inappropriate shocks, acupuncture

A 72 year old man with a history of diabetes, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass surgery received an ICD after developing symptomatic ventricular tachycardia. During a routine follow-up, interrogation of his device showed the patient received two shocks during two separate episodes which occurred in quick succession. Examination of the intracardiac electrograms recorded by the device during these episodes showed that the patient was in sinus rhythm at the time and the shocks were triggered by short uniform bursts of electromagnetic interference (EMI) lasting 0.4 msec each (Fig. 1). On further questioning, it transpired the patient was receiving acupuncture at the time of these events. The acupuncture procedure involved insertion of fine metal needles into the anterior chest and passage of electric currents through them. The acupuncturist was not aware of the fact the patient had received an ICD shock, and continued with the procedure, which resulted in a second shock. The patient suffered no long-term sequelae from the experience. Physicians providing ICD therapy and acupuncturists need to be aware of this potential complication.



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  		Figure 1 Local electrograms recorded in the atrial, ventricular and defibrillator coil channels of an ICD. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from electric currents passing through acupuncture needles inserted into the anterior chest wall caused ventricular oversensing by the ICD and triggered inappropriate shocks.

 

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This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
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Right arrow Email this article to a friend
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Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lau, E. W.
Right arrow Articles by Green, M. S.
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PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lau, E. W.
Right arrow Articles by Green, M. S.
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