The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: postcode prescribing in the UK 1998-2002.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation across the UK during the period 1998 to 2002.


METHODS
Observational self reporting with cross checking.


METHODS
All ICD implanting centres coordinated by the National Pacemaker and ICD Database.


METHODS
Every patient receiving an ICD in the UK from 1998 to 2002.


METHODS
Date of implantation and postcode of each ICD recipient during the study period.


RESULTS
ICD implantation increased in the UK in the five year period studied but fell far short of the European average and national targets. Implantation rates varied greatly by region.


CONCLUSIONS
The low rate of ICD implantation in the UK and the disparity between regions require further study to determine the barriers to this evidence based treatment.
Cunningham
A D
AD
National Pacemaker and ICD Database, UK. david@ccad.nildram.co.uk
Plummer
C J
CJ
McComb
J M
JM
Lord
S W
SW
Cunningham
M W
MW
Toussaint
J-M
JM
Rickards
A F
AF
D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D006113:United Kingdom