A 70-year-old man on ICU has an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and develops ventricular fibrillation. The ICD delivers multiple shocks b...

Question

A 70-year-old man on ICU has an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and develops ventricular fibrillation. The ICD delivers multiple shocks but VF persists. He becomes unresponsive. What is the correct approach to external defibrillation in a patient with an ICD?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with external defibrillation as per standard ALS - place pads at least 8 cm from the ICD generator, using an anteroposterior pad position if possible

Answer

External defibrillation is contraindicated in patients with ICDs

Answer

Remove the ICD before attempting external defibrillation

Answer

Use only the ICD - do not apply external defibrillation

Answer

Apply a magnet over the ICD to enable external defibrillation

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Cardiac Arrest with ICD

A 70-year-old man on ICU has an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and develops ventricular fibrillation. The ICD delivers multiple shocks but VF persists. He becomes unresponsive. What is the correct approach to external defibrillation in a patient with an ICD?