ICD Potential Adverse Events

Possible adverse events (in alphabetical order) associated with an ICD, include, but are not limited to the following:

• Acceleration of arrhythmias (caused by device)
• Air embolism
• Allergic reaction
• Bleeding
• Cardiac tamponade
• Chronic nerve damage
• Death
• Erosion
• Exacerbation of heart failure
• Excessive fibrotic tissue growth
• Extracardiac stimulation (phrenic nerve, diaphragm,
• chest wall)
• Extrusion
• Fluid accumulation
• Formation of hematomas or cysts
• Inappropriate shocks
• Infection
• Keloid formation
• Lead abrasion and discontinuity
• Lead migration/dislodgment
• Myocardial damage
• Pneumothorax
• Shunting current or insulating myocardium during defibrillation with internal or external paddles
• Potential mortality due to inability to defibrillate or pace
• Thromboemboli
• Venous occlusion
• Venous or cardiac perforation

Patients susceptible to frequent shocks despite antiarrhythmic medical management may develop psychological intolerance to an ICD or CRT-D system that may include the following:

• Dependency
• Depression
• Fear of premature battery depletion
• Fear of shocking while conscious
• Fear that shocking capability may be lost