Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy During Total Hip Arthroplasty

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a known risk factor for triggering inappropriate therapy from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Recommendations from the American Society of Anesthesiologists focus on EMI when using monopolar electrocautery for supraumbilical surgeries. Infraumbilical surgeries are not considered high risk for EMI; thus, no magnet must be applied routinely to prevent inappropriate ICD therapy intraoperatively. We describe a case of a 71-year-old woman who presented for left total hip arthroplasty with a history of an ICD. The patient's history was significant for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Monopolar electrocautery was used, and the level of the surgery was below the umbilicus. She experienced nine inappropriate ICD therapies intraoperatively with no long-term sequelae. The location of the electrocautery dispersion pad may have contributed to inappropriate therapies. Thus, the dispersion pad location should be considered when deciding whether to suspend anti-tachycardia functions intraoperatively. We present a case of inappropriate therapy from an ICD and make a recommendation for preventing such events.