Intraoperative use of automated external defibrillator

We report on the anesthetic management of a patient with peripartum cardiom yopathy and frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardia, who underwent sur gery for tracheal stenosis. Prior to this surgery, the patient had been imp lanted with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), pla ced abdominally. In the operating room, the AICD was deactivated, and an au tomated external defibrillator (AED) tvas placed. Intraoperatively, the AED identified and treated the patient's ventricular tachycardia. Advantages o f the AED in this hospital setting included rapid response to the cardiomyo pathy safe, hands-free operation, and minimal disruption of die surgical pr ocedure. Safety concerns when using the AED are also detailed. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.