Related Experiment Videos
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators: current status and future directions
1Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|March 11, 1992
Summary
Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of mortality. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) effectively prevent sudden death in high-risk patients, with excellent long-term results.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in the US, with up to 450,000 deaths annually.
- Survivors of cardiac arrest and patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia face high mortality rates, even with antiarrhythmic therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) as a treatment for patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Main Methods:
- The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), introduced in 1980, consists of a generator and defibrillation/pacing leads.
- Implantation can be performed via various surgical approaches, including median sternotomy and thoracotomy.
Main Results:
- Over 24,000 ICDs have been implanted worldwide, demonstrating effectiveness in preventing sudden death.
- Long-term follow-up shows excellent results, with a 5-year actuarial incidence of sudden cardiac death at 3%.
Conclusions:
- The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is an effective therapy for preventing sudden cardiac death in high-risk individuals.
- Ongoing advancements in device technology and defibrillation science promise further improvements in ICD efficacy and patient outcomes.