Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in pediatric patients:: Results of a series of 33 cases

Implantable defibrillator is the recognized treatment of sudden cardiac death. Miniaturization of the devices allows implantation in children. Methods: this multicentric retrospective study analyzed data of 33 children aged 18 years and less who were implanted from 1990 to 2005. Results: age of patients are 10 to 18 years, 20 patients were implanted after a resuscitation of sudden death, 10 after a syncope, 2 after a ventricular tachycardia and I in a prophylactic way. Tachycardias on primary electrical disease are most frequent (46%). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy accounts for 22%, DAVD for 14%, congenital cardiopathies for 12%. Seventeen patients received appropriate shocks and 14 patients had inappropriate shocks. There were two unexplained deaths. Five leads fractures and two device infections were noted. Conclusion: implantable clefibrillator is an effective treatment for children high-risk of sudden death. Occurrence of inappropriate shocks due to sinusal tachycardia, infections and leads fractures are frequent.