Update on implantable cardioverter defibrillator trials.
Many randomized trials of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy versus medical treatment for the prevention of death in survivors of cardiac arrest or in patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) have been reported. ICD therapy has been consistently efficacious in preventing SCD. ICD therapy has generally favorably impacted total mortality, but this has depended upon the control group's risk for arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic mortality. In these trials, predictors of sudden or total mortality better than ventricular dysfunction have not emerged. This review summarizes the randomized ICDs trials and the impact ICDs have on SCD prevention.
Department of Medicine, Box 679-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Abrar H
AH
Shah
David T
DT
Huang
Spencer Z
SZ
Rosero
James P
JP
Daubert
D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic