Implantation of a Fully Subcutaneous ICD in Children

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) from Cameron Health (San Clemente, CA, USA) does not require a lead to be placed on or in the heart. Such a device, being subcutaneous, has potential benefits in children who require ICDs where problems largely relate to transvenous or epicardial leads and inappropriate shocks. The S-ICD was approved for use in Europe in June 2009 and recently a study commenced to acquire data in 330 patients in order to submit to the FDA. We shall describe the implantation of the S-ICD in two children aged 10 and 12 years at our institution. (PACE 2012; 35:e20e23)