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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
16:40

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Care of the pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator patient in the ED

Jason McMullan1, Matthew Valento, Mehran Attari

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0769, USA.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Emergency physicians increasingly manage patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) due to aging populations and rising cardiovascular disease. This review covers key diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these complex cases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Aging populations and increased cardiovascular disease lead to more patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in emergency departments.
  • These patients present complex medical issues, both device-related and independent, requiring specialized emergency care.
  • Effective management necessitates a thorough understanding of pacemaker and ICD functionalities and potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diagnostic considerations for emergency care of patients with pacemakers and ICDs.
  • To outline therapeutic strategies for managing these patients in emergency settings.
  • To provide emergency physicians with essential knowledge for handling common and critical scenarios involving cardiac electronic devices.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current guidelines and clinical practices.
  • Synthesis of information on pacemaker and ICD technology.
  • Analysis of common emergency presentations and management protocols.

Main Results:

  • Identification of critical diagnostic pathways for device-related emergencies.
  • Summarization of immediate management steps for various clinical presentations.
  • Highlighting the importance of device interrogation and troubleshooting in the emergency department.

Conclusions:

  • Emergency physicians must be prepared to manage patients with pacemakers and ICDs.
  • A systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
  • Understanding device function and potential complications improves emergency care delivery.

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