Implantation of cardioverter device in young children: the perirenal approach

Subglandular placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for an improved cosmetic outcome

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) technology has progressed through the years decreasing the size of the device, and its effectiveness in preventing sudden cardiac death has made it a mainstay of treatment for many patients. As the use of ICDs in younger patients has increased, issues with placement of an ICD in the usual prepectoral, infraclavicular region have arisen. Subglandular placement through an inframammary incision provides a unique approach and an aesthetically pleasing outcome for ICD placement. We present a review of the current literature and 3 cases of young female patients who had placement of an ICD using this approach.

ICD Implantation in infants and small children: the extracardiac technique

BACKGROUND

There is no clear methodology for implantation of an internal cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in infants and small children. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of an extracardiac ICD implantation technique in pediatric patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An extracardiac ICD system was implanted in eight patients (age: 0.3-8 years; body weight: 4-29 kg). Under fluoroscopic guidance a defibrillator lead was tunneled subcutaneously starting from the anterior axillar line along the course of the 6th rib until almost reaching the vertebral column. After a partial inferior sternotomy, bipolar steroid-eluting sensing and pacing leads were sutured to the atrial wall (n = 2) and to the anterior wall of the right ventricle (n = 8). The ICD device was implanted as "active can" in the upper abdomen. Sensing, pacing, and defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) as well as impedances were verified intraoperatively and 3 months later, respectively.

RESULTS

In seven of eight patients, intraoperative DFT between subcutaneous lead and device was <15 J. In the eighth patient ICD implantation was technically not feasible due to a DFT >20 J. During follow-up (mean 14.5 months) appropriate and effective ICD discharges were noted in two patients. DFT remained stable after 3 months in four of six patients retested. A revision was required in one patient due to lead migration and in another patient due to a lead break.

CONCLUSIONS

In infants and small children, extracardiac ICD implantation was technically feasible. Experience and follow-up are still limited. The course of the DFT is unknown, facing further growth of the patients.

Implantation of an "extracardiac" internal cardioverter defibrillator in a 6-month-old infant

In infants and small children, ICD implantation is a challenge due to technical limitations and a significant number of complications. This report describes ICD implantation in a 6-month-old infant (body weight 5.5 kg). A completely extracardiac defibrillation system was implanted using a transvenous lead subcutaneously in the back below the left scapula as the defibrillation electrode and an active-can device in the right upper abdomen. Defibrillation threshold of implantation was < or =10 J. During the follow-up of 3 months, 8 adequate ICD discharges were noted. The technique described seems feasible to facilitate ICD implantation in small infants.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation in children in The Netherlands

To evaluate the indications, underlying cardiac disorders, efficacy and complications involved with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in paediatric patients in The Netherlands, the records of all patients aged 18 years or younger who underwent ICD placement were reviewed retrospectively. Between January 1995 and September 2002, 23 patients (11 males, 12 females; median age 12 years, range 6 months to 16 years) underwent ICD implantation. The ICD was implanted for aborted sudden cardiac death ( n = 14), syncope ( n = 5) or for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death ( n = 4). Underlying cardiac disorders were electrical diseases ( n = 16), hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy ( n = 4) and congenital cardiac malformations ( n = 3). Five patients had an epicardially placed ICD, while 18 underwent a transvenous approach. The generator was placed in an abdominal position in eight patients, whereas it was placed in the subpectoral region in 15. There was no early mortality. Median hospital stay was 5 days (range 2-30 days). Median follow-up time was 29 months (range 1 month to 7 years). Seven patients experienced an inappropriate shock after a median period of 7 months; five patients an appropriate shock after a median period of 3 months. The reasons for inappropriate shock were supraventricular tachycardia ( n = 1), sinus tachycardia ( n = 4) or T-wave sensing (n = 2). One patient with malignant long QT syndrome died of intractable arrhythmias and irreversible cardiomyopathy. Generator replacement was necessary in four patients after 28, 44, 51 and 54 months respectively.

CONCLUSION

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in paediatric patients is a safe procedure with a good medium-term outcome. The most serious problem is the occurrence of a significant number of inappropriate shocks.