title: The subcutaneous defibrillator: a review of the literature.
abstract: The recently commercially available subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) uses a completely subcutaneous electrode configuration to treat potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Clinical trials have proven its effectiveness in detecting and treating ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia. The S-ICD offers the advantage of eliminating the need for intravenous and intracardiac leads and their associated risks and shortcomings. However, its major disadvantage is its inability to provide bradycardia rate support and antitachycardia pacing to terminate ventricular tachycardia. This paper discusses the S-ICD clinical trials and advantages and disadvantages of this novel technology to help the physician identify its role and select candidate patients who will benefit from this device.
authors: School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Aziz
authors: Section of Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Angel R
authors: AR
authors: Leon
authors: Section of Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: melcham@emory.edu.
authors: Mikhael F
authors: MF
authors: El-Chami
mesh_terms: D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: subcutaneous ICD; sudden cardiac death; transvenous ICD