The Function of Cochlear Implant After Cardioversion in a Patient With Atrial Flutter: A Case Report

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The Function of Cochlear Implant After Cardioversion in a Patient With Atrial Flutter: A Case Report Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Mar 18:1455613211001962. doi: 10.1177/01455613211001962. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Hearing loss in older people can cause communication impairments, decreased quality of life, social isolation, depression, and dementia. Cochlear implant surgery is an effective treatment for older patients with hearing loss who cannot achieve satisfactory audiologic outcomes with hearing aids. However, older people have an increased risk of heart disease and ofte n take medications that affect heart rhythm. Herein, we report a case of an 80-year-old woman who underwent cardioversion at 50J after cochlear implant surgery. Electrical impedance before and after cardioversion showed only minor changes without abnormality, and the cochlear implant functioned well. We believe that the electronic circuits of the cochlear implant may have been relatively tolerant to the electrical shock from the external defibrillator. Typically, cardioversion should be avoided in cochlear implant recipients because it may damage the implant. If cardioversion cannot be avoided, we strongly recommend starting cardioversion at the lowest energy level (50 J) and removing the sound processor of the implant during the procedure. PMID:33734884 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211001962 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.