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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
16:40
A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Recent primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator trials
Gabor Duray1, Carsten W Israel, Stefan H Hohnloser
1Department of Medicine, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Current Opinion in Cardiology
|December 16, 2005
Summary
Prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy benefits patients with chronic heart failure and low ejection fraction, regardless of cause. However, it is not recommended for those with recent myocardial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a significant concern in patients with heart failure.
- Identifying individuals at high risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias is crucial for effective prevention.
- Recent clinical trials have provided new insights into prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent trial findings on prophylactic ICD therapy.
- To guide evidence-based decision-making for primary prevention of SCD.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently published randomized clinical trials.
- Analysis of patient populations, device types, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Prophylactic ICD therapy benefits patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction ≤0.30).
- Single-chamber devices are sufficient; atrial leads show no proven benefit.
- ICD therapy is not recommended for patients with recent myocardial infarction (benefit may accrue after 6+ months).
- Patients with chronic dilated non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction ≤0.35) also benefit from prophylactic ICDs.
Conclusions:
- Recent trials support an evidence-based approach to primary SCD prevention using ICDs.
- These findings aid in selecting appropriate candidates for prophylactic ICD implantation.
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