Successful reduction of a high defibrillation threshold by a combined implantation of a subcutaneous array and azygos vein lead

Takumi Yamada, Peter G. Robertson, H. Thomas Mcelderry, Doppalapudi Harish, Vance J. Plumb, G. Neal Kay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 72-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathywas referred because his implantable cardioverter defibrillator had failed to terminate spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (VF). Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing confirmed that 830-V shocks failed to defibrillate VF despite optimization of the biphasic waveform and reversal of shock polarity. The placement of a new right ventricular lead and the addition of a subcutaneous array failed to defibrillate VF at 830 V. The combination of a subcutaneous array and azygos vein coil successfully defibrillated VF. The mechanism for successful DFT reduction was likely greater current supplied to the posterior basal left ventricle by the azygos vein lead.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e173-e176
JournalPACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
Volume35
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Azygos vein
  • High defibrillation threshold
  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
  • Subcutaneous array

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