Prevention of sudden cardiac death: management considerations

Data, largely from randomized, controlled trials, have clarified the role of the various treatment modalities in preventing sudden cardiac death. The therapeutic usefulness in sudden cardiac death prevention of antirarrhythmic and other drugs, and of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, is discussed. The relative effectiveness of the various modalities is also considered and conclusions about an appropriate treatment paradigm and future research directions are discussed.