Prise en charge en urgence du patient porteur d'un défibrillateur cardioverteur implantable

Implantable-cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are indicated to prevent sudden-cardiac death related to ventricular arrhythmia. ICD have a pacemaker function; they may induce pacing to treat ventricular tachycardia and they may act as defibrillator for treatment of rapid ventricular arrhythmias. Every patient who has an ICD is supposed to wear a card resuming the technical features of the devices as well as the clinical indication. The use of a magnet may be indicated in emergency without any risk of permanent damage to the ICD. The magnet transiently and reversibly inhibits the ICD and has to be use when an external defibrillator is available.