Pacing-dependency following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks: a case report.

INTRODUCTION

Shocks from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been shown to reduce sudden cardiac death but are also associated with adverse events. Although the association with psychological harm and impaired quality of life is widely acknowledged, cardiac injuries as a direct consequence of transvenous ICD shocks are less well known.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of atrioventricular block and ventricular pacing-dependency following repeated ICD shocks.

CONCLUSION

Multiple ICD shocks may result in AV block and pacing-dependency. This has important ramifications for those with a depleted pulse generator following repeated shock therapy.