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Five years ago, a manufacturer-sponsored, randomized trial provided evidence that subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) performed similarly to transvenous ICDs in safely protecting patients from sudden cardiac death. After a 4-year follow-up of 850 patients with indication for an ICD (but not for pacing), a combined endpoint of device-related complications or inappropriate shocks was similar with either device, though with trends toward more complications with the transvenous device and more inappropriate shocks with the subcutaneous one. To examine whether differences in device-related complications might emerge with time, the investigators extended follow-up to 8 years among 530 of the original participants.
Key Findi…