Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) within the abdomen as a cause of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO): a case report

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is commonly caused by intra-abdominal adhesions, usually from prior surgery. Conservative management is the mainstay of treatment, with adhesiolysis required for non-resolving obstruction. An unusual patient presentation of ASBO is presented here, where the cause is proposed as an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) within the abdomen. Although the patient had several presentations of ASBO successfully treated with conservative management, a non-resolving obstruction required surgical management. At laparotomy, the AICD was found to be in close association with extensive matted adhesions to adjacent small bowel. Adhesiolysis was performed, with the AICD implanted in a subrectus pocket. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery, and at review 6 weeks following the operation was found to have a normal bowel habit with nil further episodes concerning for obstruction. This case highlights the importance of non-classical risk factors being a possible cause of ASBO.

Surgery for Ventricular Tachycardia

The treatment of drug-refractory chronic ventricular tachycardia (VT) has undergone a revolution over the last 50 years. We now have automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy with pace-terminating capabilities, and catheter ablation of VT has refined mapping and improved methods of lesion generation. Between 1980 and 1993, Houston Methodist Hospital became a leader in the diagnosis and surgical ablation of VT and other arrhythmias. This is a brief account of that period and some of the experiences and lessons that have led to significant advances used today.

Fever Unmasked Brugada Syndrome in Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Introduction: Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disorder that is a known cause of sudden cardiac death. It is characterized by a pattern of ST segment elevation in the precordial leads on an electrocardiogram (EKG) due to a sodium channelopathy. Case Report: This case report highlights the case of a five-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a febrile viral illness and had an EKG consistent with Brugada syndrome. Discussion: Fever is known to accentuate or unmask EKG changes associated with Brugada due to temperature sensitivity of the sodium channels. Conclusion: Febrile patients with Brugada are at particular risk for fatal ventricular arrhythmias and fevers should be treated aggressively by the emergency medicine provider. Emergency medicine providers should also consider admitting febrile patients with Brugada syndrome who do not have an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for cardiac monitoring.

Acquired Pediatric Right Diaphragmatic Hernia Following Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Placement

Diaphragmatic hernias are an uncommon occurrence in the pediatric population; however, they can cause significant morbidity and mortality if the diagnosis is missed or delayed. This case discusses the radiographic and clinical exam findings of a one-year-old patient with this pathology.

Twiddler’s Syndrome

Twiddler’s syndrome refers to a rare condition in which a pacemaker or automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) malfunctions due to coiling of the device in the skin pocket and resultant lead displacement. This image is the chest radiograph (CXR) of a 54-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with chest pain five months after his AICD was placed. The CXR shows AICD leads coiled around the device and the absence of leads in the ventricle consistent with Twiddler’s syndrome. Patients with twiddler’s syndrome should be admitted for operative intervention.

Additional Topics: Cardiac

In this chapter topics related to use of anesthesia in cardiac patients are discussed. Subtopics include use of heparin in a patient undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft, and management of a cardiac tamponade, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coarctation of the aorta, and bacterial endocarditis. Also addressed is management of a patient with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD). The mechanism of an intra-aortic balloon pump is discussed, along with its contraindications. The mechanism of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine is also outlined. Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is discussed, as are the cardiac considerations for surgery in a patient with Down syndrome. Each scenario is presented as a short, three- to four-question additional topic.