January 1, 2002Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Utilization Based on Discharge Diagnoses from Medicare and Managed Care Patients
Key result
Claims data identified 1,226 potential ICD candidates per million population, contrasting with an actual ICD usage rate of 416 per million population, suggesting significant underutilization.
Why the study?
What is the estimated number of potential ICD candidates compared to actual ICD usage in the United States?
Population
Patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation…
Design
Cross-sectional
Follow-up
12-month period
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Potential ICD underutilization in claims data warrants investigation; leaves open true eligibility rates versus coding artifacts.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=4,600,000)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
What is the estimated number of potential ICD candidates compared to actual ICD usage in the United States?
P
Population
Claims database analysis of 4.6 million covered U.S. lives over 12 months to identify patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death who are potential ICD candidates.
E
Exposure
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) utilization
O
Outcome
Estimated number of potential ICD candidates per million population compared to actual ICD usage rates
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 1226% vs 416%
There is a significant underutilization of ICDs in the United States, with the number of potential candidates far exceeding actual usage rates.
Cite This Study
Ruskin et al. (2002) conducted an observational in High risk of sudden cardiac death (n=4,600,000). ICD candidacy based on discharge diagnoses vs. Actual ICD usage was evaluated on Potential ICD candidates per million population. Claims data identified 1,226 potential ICD candidates per million population, contrasting with an actual ICD usage rate of 416 per million population, suggesting significant underutilization.