Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2020; 115(6): 1178-1179
Recommendations for the Post-Mortem Management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices
Júlio César de Oliveira, Alexsandro Alves Fagundes, Ricardo Alkmim-Teixeira
, José Mário Baggio Junior, Luciana Armaganijan, Andre d’Avila
, Eduardo B. Saad, Veridiana Silva de Andrade
, Luis Gustavo Belo de Moraes, Ricardo Kuniyoshi, André Gustavo da Silva Rezende
, Mauricio Pimentel
, Thiago da Rocha Rodrigues, Helio Lima de Brito Junior, Elenir Nadalin, Cristiano Faria Pisani
, Elerson Arfelli, Fatima Dumas Cintra, Carlos Antonio Abunader Kalil, Sissy Lara de Melo, Priscila Moreno Sperling Cannavan
Abstract
The management of cardiac implantable electronic devices after death has become a source of controversy. There are no uniform recommendations for such management in Brazil; practices rely exclusively on institutional protocols and regional custom. When the cadaver is sent for cremation, it is recommended to remove the device due to the risk of explosion and damage to crematorium equipment, in addition to other precautions. Especially in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, proper guidance and organization of hospital mortuary facilities and funeral services is essential to minimize the flow of people in contact with bodily fluids from individuals who have died with COVID-19. In this context, the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias has prepared this document with practical guidelines, based on international publications and a recommendation issued by the Brazilian Federal Medical Council.
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