Implantation of cardioverter defibrillator and pacemaker using the same pectoral quadrant.

We implanted a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) together with a pacemaker system in three patients with ventricular tachycardia and bradyarrhythmias. Both systems (ICD and pacemaker) were implanted in the same left pectoral quadrant using a single skin incision and the subclavian and/or the cephalic vein. The ICD was implanted deep to the pectoralis major muscle, the pacemaker was placed subcutaneously in a more medial pocket. There were no technical difficulties during implantation or complications during follow-up.