Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator—An Unusual Case of Inappropriate Discharge During Showering

  • Published:
Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The evolution of diagnostic information provided in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has paralleled the advances in the therapeutic options incorporated in these systems. Contemporary devices are capable of providing recordings of electrical events surrounding all delivered and aborted device therapy. This report presents un unusual case of inappropriate discharge of an ICD, resulting from electromagnetic interference. A transvenous ICD system (Sentry Hot Can 4310 HC, Telectronics Denver, CO), was implanted in a patient with ischemic heart disease due to episodes of ventricular tachycardia refractory to antiarrhythmic treatment. One month post-implant the patient reported two consecutive shocks from the device while showering. The non-physiological cycle length (100ms) recorded in conjunction to the scenario of the event, raised the suspicion of electromagnetic interference through electrical current leakage in the bathroom, an hypothesis that was subsequently proved. This case report underscores that electromagnetic interference can become hazardous in common daily activities of patients with an ICD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Marchlinski FE, Kleinman RB, Hook BG, et al. Advances in implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. In: Josephson ME, Wellens HJJ (Eds): Tachycardias: Mechanisms and managements. Mt Kisco, NY, Futura Publishing Co., Inc., 1993, pp 405-420.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Marchlinski FE, Gottlieb CD, Sarter B, et al. ICD Data storage: Value in arrhythmia management. PACE 1993;16:527–534.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hook BG, Marchlinski FE. The value of ventricular electrogram recordings in the diagnosis of arrhythmias precipitating electrical device therapy. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1991;17:985–990.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Snadler MT, Kutalek SP. Inappropriate discharge by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Recognition of unipotential sensing using telemetered intracardiac electrograms. PACE 1994;17:665–671.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rosenqvist M, Beyer T, Block M, et al. Adverse events with transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators. A prospective multicenter study. Circulation 1998;98:663–670.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ruppel R, Schluter C, Boczor S, et al. Ventricular tachycardia during follow-up in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation: Experience from stored electrograms of implantable cardioverter defibrillators. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1998;32:1724–1730.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Callans DJ, Hook BG, Kleinman RB, et al. Unique sensing errors in third generation implantable cardioverter defibrillators. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1993;22: 1135–1140.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Callans DJ, Hook BG, Marchlinski FE. Paced beats following single nonsensed complexed in a co-dependent'' cardioverter/defibrillator and bradycardia pacing system: potential for ventricular tachycardia induction. PACE 1991;14:1281–1287.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Hurwitz JL, Hook BG, Flores BT, et al. Importance of abortive shock capability with electrogram storage in cardioverter defibrillator devices. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1993;21:895–900.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Marchlinski FE, Gottlieb CD, Schwartzman DS, et al. Electrical events associated with ventricular tachycardia initiation and their prevention. In: Zipes and Zalife (Eds): Cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell to Bedside. 2nd edition Philadelphia WB Saunders Co. 1994.

  11. Madrid A, Sanchez A, Bosch E, et al. Dysfunction of implantable defibrillators caused by slot machines. PACE 1997;20:212–214.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Echt DS. Potential hazards of implanted devices for the electrical control of tachyarrhythmias. PACE 1984;7:1345.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Peters R, Cooklin M, Brockman R, et al. Inappropriate shocks from implanted cardioverter defibrillators caused by sensing of diaphragmatic myopotentials. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Elect 1998;2:367–370.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sentry Hot Can 4310 HC. Physician's Manual Telectronics Pty Limited, Lane Cove Australia 1995; pp: 40–41.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Cardiology, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Athanasios G. Manolis, Apostolos G. Katsivas, Charis V. Vassilopoulos & Nikolaos E. Louvros

Authors
  1. Athanasios G. Manolis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Apostolos G. Katsivas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Charis V. Vassilopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nikolaos E. Louvros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Manolis, A.G., Katsivas, A.G., Vassilopoulos, C.V. et al. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator—An Unusual Case of Inappropriate Discharge During Showering. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 4, 265–268 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009834100540

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009834100540

Search

Navigation