Key result
Thromboembolic events occurred in 6.5% of ICD patients (four cases) during a mean follow-up of 19.4 months, despite no prior embolisms or documented atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
What is the incidence and possible causes of thromboembolic events in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators?
Case Report
What is the incidence and possible causes of thromboembolic events in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators?
Thromboembolic events can occur in ICD patients even in the absence of documented atrial fibrillation or pre-existing clots, raising questions about the need for anticoagulant therapy.
Highlights thromboembolic risk in ICD patients without documented AF; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice pending further data.
In ICD patients thromboembolic events (TEEs) are described as possible complications at implant or during the follow-up. We report four cases of TEEs (two peripheral and two cerebral; 6.5% of patients) that occurred in our series during a mean follow-up of 19.4 months. The patients had chronic postinfarction LV aneurysm (3) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (1). None had previous embolisms nor evidence of left atrial or LV clots at standard preoperative transthoracic echocardiography. No paroxysms of atrial fibrillation were documented prior or after ICD implant. We discuss the possible causes of embolization and the suitability of anticoagulant therapy in ICD patients.
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Benedini et al. (1995) conducted a case report in ICD patients. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) was evaluated on Thromboembolic events (TEEs). Thromboembolic events occurred in 6.5% of ICD patients (four cases) during a mean follow-up of 19.4 months, despite no prior embolisms or documented atrial fibrillation.
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