[Implantable automatic defibrillator]

Automatic defibrillators which can be implanted have developed into a major advancement to treat patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias, and especially cases of ventricular tachy-arrhythmias, which degenerate into ventricular fibrillation and can lead to cardiac arrest. Since tachy-arrhythmias can cause sudden, unexpected death, is it necessary to identify high risk patients who do not show any clinical signs. The authors describe the history of automatic defibrillators which can be implanted, how they are implanted, the models available and their indicated usage.