Key result
Electromagnetic interference from a faulty electrical installation caused a 50 Hz electrical artifact mimicking fast ventricular tachycardia, resulting in an inappropriate ICD shock.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the risk of inappropriate ICD shocks caused by electromagnetic interference from faulty household electrical installations.
Alerts clinicians to check household wiring in suspected EMI-related ICD shocks; single case leaves open broader prevalence and screening needs.
We present a case report of a 74-year-old male patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator who suffered an inappropriate defibrillation shock while bathing in the tub. Insight in the ICD stored electrogram episodes revealed electromagnetic interferences, with a typical 50 Hz electrical artifact mimicking fast ventricular tachycardia as a device misinterpreted. After this event, the maintenance workers investigated the electrical installation in the bathroom and revealed that there was voltage leaking between electrical installation and metal pipes. After the repair was completed without any additional programming, the patient has had no subsequent shocks.
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Babić et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Ventricular tachycardia, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, implanted ICD (n=1). Electromagnetic interference from faulty electrical installation was evaluated on Inappropriate ICD shock. Electromagnetic interference from a faulty electrical installation caused a 50 Hz electrical artifact mimicking fast ventricular tachycardia, resulting in an inappropriate ICD shock.
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