Management of S‐ICD lead in a patient requiring sternotomy

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S‐ICD) have become a reasonable alternative to single‐chamber transvenous ICD systems for patients who pass the screening protocol.1, 2 There is limited experience however in managing patients who require a sternotomy who have previously had a S‐ICD placed. Concerns over lead damage, lead positioning poststernotomy, and possible contact between the lead and the sternotomy wires are the main concerns that may result in device malfunction.