The high cost of implantable defibrillators
Key result
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators increase life-expectancy in some patients but significantly increase total medical costs, highlighting the need for more cost-effective devices.
Population
Patients with cardiac disease eligible for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
Design
Review
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
ICDs raise costs despite survival gains in select patients; leaves open trials of affordable devices and refined selection criteria.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Patients with cardiac disease eligible for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
I
Intervention
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
The widespread use of ICDs strains healthcare budgets, emphasizing the need for more cost-effective devices and improved patient selection criteria.
Cite This Study
Hlatky et al. (2006) conducted a review in cardiac disease. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) was evaluated. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators increase life-expectancy in some patients but significantly increase total medical costs, highlighting the need for more cost-effective devices.