Riata and Riata ST leads (Saint-Jude Medical) are under monitoring since 2010, due to a risk of externalized conductor and electrical dysfunction.

Analyse the follow-up of all patients, in Parisian military hospitals, implanted with a lead concerned by the monitoring directives.

Retrospective study of 37 patients, in three centres, implanted between October 2002 and February 2009. We analysed the enforcement of follow up directives, and the occurrence of radiological or electric events up to July 2014.

Among the followed patients, 22.2% have not had the annual radiological imaging recommended since March 2012. The average interval of time between check-up appointments was 3.9 months, even though it was recommended to follow-up every 3 months. Leads monitoring allowed the identification of one externalized conductor (Riata on 1582 and ST 7000) and two cases of defibrillation failures due to a short circuit (Riata 1570 and 1580, 8French double coil) that was uncovered during a test of defibrillation with high energy.

Patients follow-up and directives enforcement need to be improved in Parisian military hospitals. Many concerns arise regarding the follow-up of patients with a Riata lead, especially in regard to a systematic defibrillation test. 8French double coil Riata leads, seem indeed at greater risk of failure of shock delivery according to the literature and in our own observations.