Fracture of the subcutaneous patch electrode in a patient with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator

There are more than 20 years of experience with implantation of defibrillator devices in humans and the procedure is an important therapeutic option for patients at high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The incidence of new defibrillator implantation has gradually increased, being used even in children, 1 although pediatric use is associated with several complications, especially with epicardial systems,2 including fracture of the subcutaneous patch,3-5 mainly because of growth.3 We present a case of subcutaneous patch electrode fracture in the left axillary pectoral region of a patient who needed the patch for effective defibrillation, and we discuss the methods of treatment. (Circ J 2005; 69: 116 -118)