Indications
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are indicated to provide ventricular antitachycardia pacing and ventricular defibrillation for automated treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Some ICDs are also indicated for use in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias, or those patients who are at significant risk for developing atrial tachyarrhythmias.
Notes on some features in ICDs: The RV Lead Integrity Alert (LIA) feature is intended primarily for patients who have a Medtronic ICD device and a Sprint Fidelis lead (Models 6949, 6948, 6931, and 6930), based on performance data. The RV LIA feature may not perform as well with a St. Jude Medical Riata™/Durata™ lead or a Boston Scientific Endotak lead as it does when used with a Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead. This is because different lead designs may have different failure signatures and conditions that may or may not be detected early by the RV LIA feature. The clinical value of the OptiVol™ fluid monitoring diagnostic feature has not been assessed in those patients who do not have fluid retention related symptoms due to heart failure. Additional notes for DR ICDs: The use of the device has not been demonstrated to decrease the morbidity related to atrial tachyarrhythmias. The effectiveness of high-frequency burst pacing (atrial 50 Hz Burst therapy) in terminating device classified atrial tachycardia (AT) was found to be 17%, and in terminating device classified atrial fibrillation (AF) was found to be 16.8%, in the VT/AT patient population studied. The effectiveness of high-frequency burst pacing (atrial 50 Hz Burst therapy) in terminating device classified atrial tachycardia (AT) was found to be 11.7%, and in terminating device classified atrial fibrillation (AF) was found to be 18.2% in the AF-only patient population studied.
Contraindications
ICDs are contraindicated in patients experiencing tachyarrhythmias with transient or reversible causes including, but not limited to, the following: acute myocardial infarction, drug intoxication, drowning, electric shock, electrolyte imbalance, hypoxia, or sepsis; patients who have a unipolar pacemaker implanted, patients with incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), and patients whose primary disorder is chronic atrial tachyarrhythmia with no concomitant VT or VF.
Warnings and Precautions
Changes in a patient’s disease and/or medications may alter the efficacy of the device’s programmed parameters. Patients should avoid sources of magnetic and electromagnetic radiation to avoid possible underdetection, inappropriate sensing and/or therapy delivery, tissue damage, induction of an arrhythmia, device electrical reset, or device damage. Do not place transthoracic defibrillation paddles directly over the device.
Potential complications
Potential complications include, but are not limited to, rejection phenomena, erosion through the skin, muscle or nerve stimulation, oversensing, failure to detect and/or terminate arrhythmia episodes, and surgical complications such as hematoma, infection, inflammation, and thrombosis. An additional complication for ICDs is the acceleration of ventricular tachycardia.
See the device manual for detailed information regarding the implant procedure, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential complications/adverse events. For further information, please call Medtronic at 1-800-328-2518 and/or consult the Medtronic website at medtronic.com.
Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.