Europace Advance Access originally published online on October 3, 2007
Europace 2007 9(12):1161-1162; doi:10.1093/europace/eum182
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ICDS
Non-determinable defibrillation threshold and inefficacy of implantable cardioverter/defibrillator shocks due to defective connections of the defibrillator lead terminals in the device header port
Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Medizinische Klinik II, Ruhr-University Bochum, Hölkeskampring 40, 44625 Herne, Germany
Inefficacy of implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) shocks or inappropriate shocks in ICD patients may occur due to mechanical or technical failure of the device. In our unusual case of ICD defibrillation failure, faulty insertion and configuration of the defibrillation lead in the header port resulted in ineffective shock therapies and a non-determinable defibrillation threshold. In cases of successless defibrillations during or after ICD implantation, this problem should be considered.
Key Words: Cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD), Defibrillation threshold, ICD defibrillation failure, Ineffective shock therapies
* Corresponding author. Tel: +49 2323 499 1600; fax: +49 2323 499 301. E-mail address: petra.maagh{at}ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Manuscript submitted 4 May 2007. Accepted after revision 20 July 2007.