Nonthoracotomy implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement in children: use of subcutaneous array leads and abdominally placed implantable cardioverter defibrillators in children.

Abstract

The need to access the right ventricle might preclude transvenous placement of a defibrillation lead at implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement, especially in small children or children with complex congenital heart defects. We investigated a subcutaneous array lead in addition to an abdominally placed "active can" ICD device in two children to avoid a thoracotomy.