Inappropriate shock in a subcutaneous cardiac defibrillator due to residual air.

Inappropriate shock due to residual air in subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillators is not a well-known complication. Obtaining overpenetrated X-rays, recognizing electrocardiogram findings, limiting blunt finger dissection, and switching to sense at another vector are techniques which might lead to avoidance of unnecessary wound exploration or device removal.