The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: postcode prescribing in the UK 1998-2002

To determine the rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation across the UK during the period 1998 to 2002.

Observational self reporting with cross checking.

All ICD implanting centres coordinated by the National Pacemaker and ICD Database.

Every patient receiving an ICD in the UK from 1998 to 2002.

Date of implantation and postcode of each ICD recipient during the study period.

ICD implantation increased in the UK in the five year period studied but fell far short of the European average and national targets. Implantation rates varied greatly by region.

The low rate of ICD implantation in the UK and the disparity between regions require further study to determine the barriers to this evidence based treatment.