After leading a groundbreaking study on the long-term reliability of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), James G. Porterfield, MD, and his wife, Linda M. Porterfield, PhD, from Methodist University Hospital, determined that St. Jude Medical Riata defibrillation lead adverse events are low and fall within the range of currently recognized standards.

 

The Porterfields were the lead investigators in the study published in the May edition of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, "Clinical Performance of the St. Jude Medical Riata Defibrillation Lead in a Large Patient Population." 

Based on data collected from Cleveland Clinic, Arkansas Heart Hospital, St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Methodist Hospital in Houston, Ohio State University and other centers, investigators encouraged adopting a systematic approach to track acute and chronic lead complications that could include one national lead device database instead of multiple registries from several sources. Investigators also suggested that even though other more expensive methods of tracking perforations have been proposed, noninvasive lead monitoring may be the safest and most cost effective method to detect lead defects. 

 

"The performance of an ICD system is critical to its ability to function as a life-saving device," said James Porterfield. "Published papers to date have reported wide variations in the performance of this family of leads."

 

Some adverse events related to ICDs may include lead dislodgement, perforation or pacing or sensing malfunctions.