Nonthoracotomy lead implantable cardioverter defibrillators: normal radiographic appearance

Recently, cardioverter defibrillators with leads and patches that can be implanted via a combination of transvenous and subcutaneous routes rather than via thoracotomy have been developed. Early experience in patients subject to serious ventricular arrhythmias suggests that, as with surgically implanted defibrillators, these nonthoracotomy defibrillators can reduce the risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrest [1]. Moreover, high perioperative complication rates associated with thoracotomy-inserted cardioverter defibrillators are avoided [2]. Four models are currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States. We have used three of these models: PCD (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN), ENDOTAK (Cardiac Pacemakers Inc., St. Paul, MN), and RES-Q (Intermedics, Freeport, TX). This essay illustrates the normal radiographic appearance of these devices.