Early is on time: Minimizing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks through expedited antitachycardia pacing

Antitachycardia pacing (ATP) is an effective, programmable therapy in implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) devices [1]. Utilizing ATP as a first-line intervention for terminating stable ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) can reduce the risks associated with delivering high-energy shocks such as tissue damage, device lead complications, and psychological impacts on patients [2] but can only do so once the episode meets detection criteria by the ICD. Newer generations of BIOTONIK ICDs offer Early ATP OneShot (eATP), which delivers ATP therapy earlier – when 12 out of 16 events and stability criteria are satisfied – to target fast VTs detected in the programmed ventricular fibrillation (VF) therapy zone.