Key result
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy provides a mortality benefit over medications in patients at high risk for sudden death and those with ischemic heart failure with depressed function.
Why the study?
Does implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy reduce mortality compared to medications in patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death?
Does implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy reduce mortality compared to medications in patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death?
ICD therapy is a proven preventive medical option that reduces mortality in patients with ischemic heart failure and an ejection fraction of <30%.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD or defibrillator) therapy has revolutionized the fields of cardiology and electrophysiology. Hundreds of thousands of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death receive them each year. The devices are not much larger than a pacemaker, and they have full pacemaker capabilities in addition to being able to shock patients out of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial (MADIT) in 1996 was a landmark trial that showed for the first time a mortality benefit of ICD therapy over medications in patients at high risk for sudden death. Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II, published in 2002, extended these results to all patients with ischemic heart failure with depressed heart function. Candidates for ICD implantation include most patients with an ejection fraction of <30%, especially those with coronary artery disease. More work needs to be done to define those patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathies who will benefit from ICDs and biventricular pacing for heart failure.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Glatter et al. (2006) conducted a review in High risk for sudden cardiac death and ischemic heart failure. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) vs. Medications was evaluated. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy provides a mortality benefit over medications in patients at high risk for sudden death and those with ischemic heart failure with depressed function.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: