THE EFFECTS OF PNEUMOTHORAX ON DEFIBRILLATION THRESHOLDS DURING PECTORAL IMPLANTATION OF AN ACTIVE CAN IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR

Pneumothorax has previously been reported 50 increase defibrillation t hresholds and lead impedance in monophasic systems. This article demon strates a case using an active can system in which Site lend impedance between the right ventricular defibrillation coil and the device impr oved from 70 Omega with pneumothorax to 48 Omega after resolution. The defibrillation threshold also improved from > 30 J to less than or eq ual to 10 J Of after the pneumothorax had resolved. We conclude that a cute pneumothorax can increase the transthoracic lead impedance and de fibrillation thresholds; however, with resolution both parameters can return 50 acceptable levels with an active can system.