title: Current state of knowledge and experts' perspective on the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
abstract: ICD implantation is today a well-recognized therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death. The available implantable devices at present need the use of permanent endocavitary leads which may cause, in some instances, serious troubles to the patients (lead dislodgement, ventricular perforation, lead infections, etc.). A new implantable defibrillator provided by only a subcutaneous lead is at present under evaluation. Its potential indications, usefulness benefits, and problems represent an interesting field of investigation and discussion. This paper describes the conclusions recently reached by a panel of experts, with regard to the potential role of an implantable subcutaneous defibrillator in the prevention of sudden cardiac death.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, Ospedale San Filippo Neri, via Martinotti 20, 00135, Rome, Italy. m.santini@rmnet.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cappato
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brachmann
authors.forename: D Wyn
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gronda
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hauer
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steinbeck
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinhaus
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*