Key result
Extravascular ICD remains intact and functional after sternotomy and surgical myectomy.
Why the study?
There were no published data regarding the behaviour of pre-existing extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices post sternotomy.
Case Report
This report addresses the previously unpublished behavior and preservation of pre-existing extravascular ICD systems following sternotomy.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Provides initial evidence on extravascular ICD behavior after sternotomy; leaves open need for systematic evaluation.
The use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) can prevent sudden cardiac death as a result of malignant arrhythmia. Traditionally devices have utilised a transvenous approach, however there is a cumulative risk of infection and vascular complication as the patient ages. The novel extravascular ICD system (EV-ICD) provides life-saving therapy whilst avoiding the intravascular space, via a tunnelled lead into the retro-sternal space.1 To the authors knowledge, there is no published data regarding the behaviour of pre-existing devices post sternotomy.
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Collings et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Pre-existing extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator requiring sternotomy. Preservation of extravascular ICD during sternotomy and surgical myectomy was evaluated. This report describes the preservation of an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator during sternotomy and surgical myectomy.
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