T-wave oversensing can be a serious problem that often results in inappropriate device therapy.
We report here a patient with binge alcohol use who received multiple, inappropriate ICD shocks due to T-wave oversensing from repolarization changes induced by acute alcohol intoxication and no other relevant metabolic derangements.
Following recovery from his alcohol intoxication a few days later, the T-wave amplitude decreased so the device no longer inappropriately sensed or delivered therapies.
This case represents an uncommon, but reversible, cause of T-wave oversensing that should be considered before more aggressive measures are taken to correct the abnormality.
Read Full Abstract
Request Reprint E-Mail: patelv@mail.med.upenn.edu