[Heart failure and sudden cardiac death: pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment possibilities from the viewpoint of the rhythmologist].
Recent multicenter studies have shown that the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is superior compared to antiarrhythmic agents after sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with congestive heart failure. Further ICD studies have to be performed for primary prevention of SCD in patients with heart failure. Primary prevention studies of SCD with Amiodarone or new class III agents (e.g., Dofetilide) were not able to lower cardiac mortality in these patients. How much the new method of biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block will reduce cardiac mortality has to be proven in future prospective trials.
Schmitt
C
C
Deutsches Herzzentrum München.
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010627:Phenethylamines; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000638:Amiodarone; C063533:dofetilide