The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 52, 1340-1341, Copyright © 1991 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Cosmetic approach for placement of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in young women
S Curiale, LE Rosenfeld and JA Elefteriades
Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
A surgical approach is described for a more cosmetically acceptable
placement of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in young
women. The transvenous sensing lead and the vena caval spring electrode are
placed through a small subclavicular incision. The left ventricular patch
electrode is placed through an anterior minithoracotomy in the crease under
the left breast. A small transverse incision in the left lower quadrant is
used to place the generator under the external oblique fascia in the low
abdominal wall. Minimal cosmetic impairment from incisions and hardware
results.