Visualization of implantable defibrillator patches by two-dimensional echocardiography

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are being used with increasing frequency for the management of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. In order to determine whether the titanium mesh of the defibrillator patch causes ultrasonographic acoustical interference, 30 patients underwent prospective serial echocardiographic examination. In addition, studies were reviewed to determine whether the defibrillator patches could be visualized with standard two-dimensional echocardiography. In no patient did the anterior patch produce acoustical interference, and, unless specific measures were utilized (such as a standoff pad, a zoom feature, or a 5-MHz transducer), the patches were rarely visualized.