title: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: should patients want one?
abstract: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a novel device that does not require insertion of a transvenous lead; rather, it delivers 80-J transthoracic shocks via a subcutaneous pulse generator implanted in the left lateral chest and a subcutaneous left parasternal lead-electrode. It recently received approval by U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel on the basis of a 180-day study in 330 patients. However, it has not been shown to be non inferior to current implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and it does not provide either anti-tachycardia or bradycardia pacing. Thus, is this technology ready for widespread application? Specifically, should a patient want one?
authors.affiliation: Minneapolis Heart Institute, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55356, USA. rhauser747@aol.com
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue