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Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) commonly are explanted from patients because of infection, need for upgrades, or death. These explanted ICDs are discarded, even though they often retain substantial battery life. In this retrospective study, researchers report on 81 patients in India with class I indications for ICDs who consented to receive explanted ICDs. None of the patients had resources that would have allowed them to receive new ICDs. The ICDs were explanted in the U.S., cleaned, transported by the researchers or their family (in their personal luggage) to India, and sterilized prior to reimplantation.
A total of 106 explanted ICDs were reimplanted in 81 patients; 22 patients received second devices, and 3 received third …