IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATORS

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is increasingly used to protect patients at high risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The success of ICDs in terminating ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) has led to widespread acceptance and an increasing number of device implants. 41,61 The emergency physician must be prepared to evaluate and treat patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with complaints related to the device. Patients with ICDs are at high risk of cardiac arrhythmias, and almost all of them have cardiac disease, thus complicating their ED evaluation.