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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Unexpected Shocks From a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Despite Attempted Reprogramming and
Colleen M McFaul1, Stefan Lombaard2, Vivek Arora2
1From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Ottawa Canada.
Abstract:
We present the case of a patient with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) in situ. Device interrogation and reprogramming were unsuccessful due to a software mismatch between the device and programmer. The device manufacturer recommended magnet application to suspend antitachycardia therapy. Despite using this strategy, the S-ICD discharged multiple times. The S-ICD has unique perioperative considerations for the anesthesiologist. This case provides an example of the complexity of electrophysiologic devices in current use and the necessity of the anesthesia provider to stay up to date with evolving device management strategies.
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