Inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks in fractured Sprint Fidelis leads associated with 'appropriate' interrogation

Europace. 2008 Jun;10(6):726-8. doi: 10.1093/europace/eun113. Epub 2008 May 1.

Abstract

We present two patients with fractures within the pace-sense circuit of their Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads who received inappropriate shocks from their Medtronic defibrillators during device interrogation. This was not simply a coincidence, but due to electromagnetic interference induced within the Sprint Fidelis lead by the device programmer during two-way communication with the defibrillator. Our subsequent investigations have uncovered at least two other similar incidents in Canada. We have also discovered that the Medtronic 'Auto-resume' feature may leave future patients uniquely vulnerable to such inappropriate shocks in the future.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Electric Injuries / etiology*
  • Electric Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis*
  • Equipment Failure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged