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Combined subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator and pacemaker devices in complex congenital heart disease. A single-center experienced based study.
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  • Berardo Sarubbi,
  • Giovanni Domenico Ciriello,
  • Giovanni Papaccioli,
  • Anna Correra,
  • Emanuele Romeo,
  • Nicola Grimaldi,
  • Diego Colonna,
  • Michela Palma
Berardo Sarubbi
Ospedale Monaldi

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Giovanni Domenico Ciriello
Ospedale Monaldi
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Giovanni Papaccioli
Ospedale Monaldi
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Anna Correra
Ospedale Monaldi
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Emanuele Romeo
Ospedale Monaldi
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Nicola Grimaldi
Ospedale Monaldi
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Diego Colonna
Ospedale Monaldi
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Michela Palma
Ospedale Monaldi
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Abstract

Background: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICD) are widely accepted therapy in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients at risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death (SCD) when pacing is not required. Occasionally, pacemaker (PM) dependent CHD patients will subsequently develop an indication for a cardioverter defibrillator. The use of S-ICD in complex CHD who have had already PM devices implanted implies some specific considerations, as the safety for these patients in unknown and recommendations among physicians may vary widely. Methods: We review the data and studied the indications for S-ICD in complex CHD with previous PM and discuss its usefulness in clinical practice. Results: From a large cohort of 345 patients enrolled in the S-ICD “Monaldi care” registry, that encompass all the patients implanted in the Monaldi Hospital of Naples, we considered 11 consecutive complex CHD patients (10M/1F aged 40.4±18.4 years) who underwent S-ICD implant after a previous PM implant, from February 2015 to October 2022. Mean follow-up was 23.7±22.5 months. All the patients showed a good compliance to the device system with no complications (infections or skin erosions). Conclusions: In complex CHD with already implanted PM devices, S-ICD implant appears to be a safe alternative to PM upgrading to transvenous ICD system, avoiding abandoned leads or life-threatening lead extraction. However, there are important issues with regards to testing and programming that need to be addressed at the time of implantation.