Unanticipated subcutaneous ICD end-of-service due to premature battery depletion and occurrence of lead fracture: A single centre experience

Abstract

The use of subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) is growing over years despite increasing alerts on premature battery depletion (PBD) and lead fractures leading to unanticipated device replacements. In our single-centre study including 192 patients, per year analysis demonstrated that incidence of PBD is higher than previously reported with overall greatest battery replacement requirements around the fifth year of follow-up. The underlying issue appears to be limited to old series devices, but only a longer follow-up will clarify the real impact of this phenomenon on patient outcomes. PBD is an underestimated S-ICDs issue and if the hereby demonstrated trend were to be confirmed in latest device series, this would bring significant concerns to patient safety and huge economic expense to health system.

Keywords: ICD complications; Lead complications; S-ICD; S-ICD recall; Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.