Dataset Information

Inappropriate shocks from a transvenous implantable defibrillator caused by atrial fibrillation and a missed atrial septal defect in a patient with a modified Bentall procedure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inappropriate shocks have been reported in ∼1/3 of patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs). We report an unusual case of inappropriate ICD shocks due to atrial fibrillation (AF) caused by a missed atrial septal defect (ASD) in a patient with a modified Bentall procedure.

Case summary

A 67-year-old Caucasian male, with an ICD and a history of a modified Bentall procedure 24 years ago, reported to our outpatient clinic with recurrent inappropriate ICD shocks due to episodes of fast AF. The transthoracic echocardiographic exam revealed two large aneurysms at the ostia of the coronary arteries. We performed further evaluation with transoesophageal echocardiogram and computed tomography (CT) angiography. The aneurysms measured on CT were 3.14 cm × 2.29 cm on the right ostium and 1.9 cm × 0.99 cm on the left. A large secundum type ASD of 1.5 cm, missed in all previous echocardiographic studies, was revealed. The therapeutic options of surgical closure of the ASD and repair of the aneurysms or a more conservative approach with percutaneous closure of the ASD and closer follow-up were discussed with the patient. The patient declined the surgical option due to high complication risk, and closure of the ASD with an Amplatzer device was performed 3 months later. A 3-year follow-up was uneventful.

Conclusion

It is of major importance to comprehensively and thoroughly assess patients before and after a surgical intervention to not miss other treatable conditions preoperatively and complications in the postoperative period.

SUBMITTER: Kostopoulou A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8637801 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ObjectivesThis study sought to test specialized processing of laser Doppler signals for discriminating ventricular fibrillation (VF) from common causes of inappropriate therapies.BackgroundInappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies remain a clinically important problem associated with morbidity and mortality. Tissue perfusion biomarkers, implemented to assist automated diagnosis of VF, sometimes mistake artifacts and random noise for perfusion, which could lead to shocks being inappropriately withheld.MethodsThe study tested a novel processing algorithm that combines electrogram data and laser Doppler perfusion monitoring as a method for assessing circulatory status. Fifty patients undergoing VF induction during ICD implantation were recruited. Noninvasive laser Doppler and continuous electrograms were recorded during both sinus rhythm and VF. Two additional scenarios that might have led to inappropriate shocks were simulated for each patient: ventricular lead fracture and T-wave oversensing. The laser Doppler was analyzed using 3 methods for reducing noise: 1) running mean; 2) oscillatory height; and 3) a novel quantification of electromechanical coupling which gates laser Doppler relative to electrograms. In addition, the algorithm was tested during exercise-induced sinus tachycardia.ResultsOnly the electromechanical coupling algorithm found a clear perfusion cut off between sinus rhythm and VF (sensitivity and specificity of 100%). Sensitivity and specificity remained at 100% during simulated lead fracture and electrogram oversensing. (Area under the curve running mean: 0.91; oscillatory height: 0.86; electromechanical coupling: 1.00). Sinus tachycardia did not cause false positive results.ConclusionsQuantifying the coupling between electrical and perfusion signals increases reliability of discrimination between VF and artifacts that ICDs may interpret as VF. Incorporating such methods into future ICDs may safely permit reductions of inappropriate shocks.