When to Use ICDs in Patients Whom the Guidelines Don't Capture

Many patients who are not included or well represented in clinical trials of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators may benefit from the devices.

Sponsoring Organizations: American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), American Heart Association (AHA), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)

Target Population: Cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists

Background and Objective

The ACCF, AHA, and HRS have issued a consensus statement about the appropriateness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for patients whom clinical trials do not include or represent and who, therefore, are not technically covered by formal practice guidelines. The document divides these patients into four categories, lettered A through D in the “Key Points” section below.

Key Points

Patients with Abnormal Troponin Unrelated to a Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Current guidelines recommend that an I…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate