title: Use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
abstract: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the most effective treatment for patients with life-threatening ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation not due to reversible causes. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association class I and IIa indications for an ICD are discussed. Patients with ICDs who need pacing should be treated with biventricular pacing, not with dual-chamber rate-responsive pacing, at a rate of 70/min. Patients with ICDs should be treated with β-blockers, statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, New York Medical College, Macy Pavilion, Room 138, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. wsaronow@aol.com
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents