[Sudden cardiac death: possibilities of interventional therapy]

There is, at present, no method to prevent sudden cardiac death. However, in patients with documented high risk the implantable automatic cardioverter defibrillator is the only reliable alternative. However, the electrical discharges of high energy may cause discomfort and pain. Antitachycardia pacing is effective for most episodes of ventricular tachycardia and can effectively reduce the number of electrical shocks to be delivered.