A Lesson About Careful Monitoring After ICD Implantation

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are effective for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in high-risk patients. In a study partly funded by an ICD manufacturer, . . .

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are effective for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in high-risk patients. In a study partly funded by an ICD manufacturer, researchers analyzed long-term outcomes of 720 patients (all with prior MI and LV ejection fractions ≤30%) who received ICDs for primary prevention of SCD in the MADIT-II trial (Journal Watch Cardiology May 3 2002), with special interest in patients with first ventricular arrhythmias terminated by the ICD.

During the initial follow-up (mean, about 20 months), ICDs terminated 701 episodes of ventricular arrhythmia in 169 patients. By the 3-year follow-up, the probability of receiving at least one appropriate ICD termination of an arrhythmia was 35%. Baseline N…

Reviewing Author

Hugh Calkins, MD