Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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The aim of this study was to understand the causes of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) failure and complications so that adverse events, including unnecessary death, can be prevented. ⋯ ICD device failure and unintended pulse generator deactivation have resulted in unnecessary deaths. Although these deaths may be infrequent, improved devices and follow-up techniques are needed. The magnet deactivation feature probably is unsafe, and health professionals and patients should be cautioned.
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We prospectively investigated the prevalence and value of this criterion for identifying a target site for ablation in patients with postinfarction ventricular tachycardia (VT). ⋯ Termination of VT by pacing with nonglobal capture can be demonstrated in approximately one third of patients with postinfarction VT and is a specific criterion for identifying a critical component of the reentrant circuit, whether or not concealed entrainment can be documented at that site.