Defibrillation energy requirements using a left anterior chest cutaneous to subcutaneous shocking vector: implications for a total subcutaneous implantable defibrillator.

Background: Subcutaneous implantable defibrillators (ICDs) are being developed to facilitate ICD implantation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the human defibrillation energy requirement (DER) using a left chest cutaneous (Q) to subcutaneous (SQ) shocking vector.

Methods: Twenty patients undergoing implantation of an indicated ICD were enrolled (15 males, age = 63 +/- 12 years; ejection fraction = 0.