Subcutaneous implantation of cardioverter defibrillators under local anesthesia

Abstract EN

Background : Internal cardioverter defibrillators are superior to antiarrthythmic therapy in the treatment of life threatening ventricular tachycardia.objectives:We report our experience with the first 23 pectoral implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD).

The patients were 18 males and 5 females with an average age of 61 ± 13 years.

All patients had life threatening ventricular arrhythmias resistant to medical therapy.

Of these, 18 were ischemic cardiomyopathy, 3 were dilated cardiomyopathy, 1 had right ventricular dysplasia, and 1 had Brugada syndrome, Methodology: Implantation of a single lead, active can ICD (Medtronic and CPI) was done under local anesthesia.

All patients received intravenous cerfuroxime prior to the procedure and for 2 days post operatively.

Antibiotic therapy was continued for 1 week after discharge from the hospital.

Results: Most of the cases were discharged from the hospital on the third day.

One complication, local hematoma, occurred in a female receiving anticoagulation therapy.

The average procedure time was 90±15 minutes.

There were no intraoperative or postoperative mortality or complications.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that experienced electrophysiologists can safely install ICD devices under local anesthesia using only mild sedation.