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A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Electrical injury during "hands on" defibrillation-A potential risk of internal cardioverter defibrillators?
Beverley Stockwell1, Gareth Bellis, Geraint Morton
1Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Despite clear guidance for the need for rescuers to avoid contact with a patient during external defibrillation, the advice regarding the potential dangers of rescuer contact during the firing of an internal cardioverter defibrillator [ICD] generally implies that such contact is safe. This case report describes documented nerve injury to a rescuer by a shock delivered from an ICD during chest compression on a patient in cardiac arrest. The authors also discuss the existing literature on the subject and make suggestions for future management.
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