A breakable heart
A breakable heart

Summary/Abstract: The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is useful in preventing sudden cardiac death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies have shown ICDs to have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who have not had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Newer-generation ICDs may have a dual function which includes the ability to serve as a pacemaker. The pacemaker feature would stimulate the heart to beat if the heart rate were detected to be too slow. The geographical incidence of sudden cardiac death varies depending on the prevalence of the coronary artery disease in different regions. This variation is partly due to the inclusion criteria used in various studies, but the overall event rate in Europe is similar to that of the United States. The ICD implantation can cause a variety of complications depending upon the experience of the medical team and also on the patient’s conditions. We present the case of a female implanted with an ICD in order to save her life, that became dangerous because of its malfunction.

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