How the S-ICD (subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator) senses cardiac signals to minimize cardiac over-sensing and maximize rhythm discrimination

Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (TV-ICD) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) devices are available for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Both devices sense ventricular arrhythmias with near 100% sensitivity (Gold et al., 2012) and have similar rates of inappropriate shocks (IAS) (2.5 –4.8%). IAS due to supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) is higher for TV-ICDs and IAS due to cardiac over-sensing is higher for S-ICDs (Basu-Ray et al., 2017).The S-ICD's sensing signal is morphologically rich, resembling the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) signal.

Source: Journal of Electrocardiology - August 17, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Amy Brisben Source Type: research