One short circuit, two novel subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator complications
Abstract
Background: Short circuits from cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) systems leak current to surrounding tissues, rendering them malfunctional and resulting in unpredictable behaviour. Case summary: A 74-year-old gentleman was admitted electively for subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (SICD) generator change. The generator was exchanged like-for-like without incident. During defibrillation testing (DFT), both shocks were unsuccessful, with the second shock causing a malfunction in the self-adhesive pads attached to the external defibrillator. Following brief cardiopulmonary resuscitation, new pads were attached, resulting in successful external defibrillation. Post-procedure analysis revealed the impedance within the device system was
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cardiac pacing and defibrillation studies
Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- European Heart Journal - Case Reports
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- ytag036–ytag036
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN