Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator malfunction due to mechanical failure of the header connection

Four cases of ICD system malfunction occurring within the Medtronic Marquis family over a limited time frame are reported. These cases shared a common element of defective connections between the header post and the right ventricular pace/sense terminal pin that required intervention and reconnection. Inappropriate shocks occurred in two cases. The circumstances of these cases provide important information about the potential difficulties with these devices and highlight the deficiencies of the current system in tracking and analyzing device-related problems.