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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
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

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention: how do the data pertain to the aged?

James P Daubert1, Henry W Sesselberg, David T Huang

  • 1Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. james_daubert@urmc.rochester.edu

The American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology
|March 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elderly individuals may benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death. Further trials are needed to confirm mortality benefits in this growing population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Sudden cardiac death (SCD) incidence rises with age.
  • The U.S. population is aging, increasing the number of elderly individuals at risk for SCD.
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are proven to reduce SCD in general populations, but evidence in the elderly is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing primary prophylaxis ICD trials for evidence of mortality benefit in elderly populations.
  • To assess the suitability of ICDs for SCD prevention in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of six major randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of primary prophylaxis ICDs.
  • Analysis of data specifically for elderly participants meeting trial inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

  • A majority of reviewed ICD trials suggest a mortality benefit for elderly patients who meet strict eligibility criteria.
  • Subset analyses indicate potential benefit in highly selected elderly subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators may offer a mortality benefit for select elderly patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.
  • Prospective randomized trials are warranted to definitively establish the efficacy and safety of ICDs in the elderly population.

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