Indications for implantable cardiac defibrillators in patients with congestive heart failure: implications of the sudden cardiac death in heart failure trial.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a significant cause of mortality in patients suffering from heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have been shown to effectively reduce the incidence of SCD in this population. Recent clinical trials have redefined the indications and patient profiles for their use: from secondary prevention to primary prevention of SCD. In this article, we review the clinical trials contributing to the current practice guidelines, which include device therapy.
Pourati
Isaac
I
Department of Medicine, The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Section, Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
Hyder
Michael
M
Rosenthal
Lawrence
L
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000628:therapy; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000628:therapy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D013534:Survival; D016896:Treatment Outcome