Simultaneous thalamic deep brain stimulation and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Mayo Clin Proc. 2001 Jan;76(1):87-9. doi: 10.4065/76.1.87.

Abstract

Thalamic deep brain stimulation is becoming increasingly popular for the control of drug-refractory tremor. Implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are commonly used therapeutic modalities. Concerns exist about the potential interactions between these 2 devices in the same patient, but no experience has been reported previously. We describe a patient with essential tremor who had a deep brain stimulator implanted into the left ventral intermediate nucleus of thalamus, who subsequently needed an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Despite concerns about possible interactions between the 2 types of implanted electrical devices (i.e., a situation similar to drug-drug interactions), the deep brain stimulator and the implanted pacemaker-defibrillator functioned appropriately, and no interaction occurred in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Defibrillators, Implantable*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Electrodes, Implanted*
  • Equipment Safety
  • Essential Tremor / complications
  • Essential Tremor / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / complications
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy*