Appropriate and Inappropriate ICD Shocks in Patients with LVADS: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Etiologies

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-23-2024

Institution/Department

Cardiology

Journal Title

Heart rhythm

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks are a common complication following Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation; however, there is limited data on their frequency and causes. OBJECTIVE: To define the incidence, programming, patient characteristics, and factors associated with appropriate and inappropriate ICD shocks in persons with LVADs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review at Duke University Hospital of all LVAD recipients implanted between January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2019 with a pre-existing ICD. ICD shocks were adjudicated by the treating physician and a 2 reviewer for the purpose of this study. RESULTS: Among 421 patients with an ICD in situ undergoing LVAD implant, 147 (33.9%) patients had at least one shock following LVAD implantation. Among 134 patients with complete device history, there were a total of 330 shock episodes: 255 (77.3%) appropriate and 75 (22.7%) inappropriate. Etiologies for inappropriate shocks included SVT (n=66, 20.0%), physiologic oversensing (n=1, 0.3%), and non-physiologic oversensing (n=8, 2.4%) including LVAD electromagnetic interference (n=1, 0.3%). ICD programming with shorter detection delay (p < 0.001) and absence of anti-tachycardia pacing programming (p = 0.001) in high-rate zones was seen more commonly in inappropriate shock than appropriate shock. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of inappropriate shocks in LVAD recipients is very high and is most often due to supraventricular arrhythmias. LVAD electromagnetic interference is a rare cause of ICD shock. Implementation of current consensus AHA recommendations for LVAD programming with long detection delays and high rate cutoffs may help avoid inappropriate ICD shocks.

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