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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock due to external alternating current leak: report of two
Ngai Yin Chan1, Lillian Wai-Ling Ho
1Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, 2-10 Princess Margaret Hospital Road, Lai Chi Kok Kowloon, Hong Kong. nywlchan@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Two cases are reported of inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks due to external alternating current leak. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can mimic cardiac signals and cause inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. EMI can arise from the normal functioning of electrical appliances or from alternating current leak. The two cases had inappropriate ICD shocks due to alternating current leak from a power drill in one and a washing machine in the other. The need for detailed advice on handling electrical equipment is emphasized.
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