Related Experiment Videos
[Implantable automatic defibrillator. Evaluation after 8 years of use]
P Rapoport1, A Leenhardt, J F Leclercq
1Service de cardiologie, hopital Lariboisière, Paris.
Archives Des Maladies Du Coeur Et Des Vaisseaux
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Automatic cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) effectively prevent sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. However, a significant percentage of devices did not function, and shock delivery interpretation remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Context:
- Retrospective review of 39 patients implanted with automatic cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) between 1982 and 1990.
- Patients had life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias unresponsive to other treatments.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and long-term tolerance of AICD implantation for preventing sudden cardiac death.
Summary:
- 35 patients were followed for an average of 23.7 months. AICDs demonstrated efficacy in preventing sudden death with low operative mortality.
- However, 40% of AICDs never functioned, and the appropriateness of delivered shocks was often indeterminable.
- Good long-term tolerance was observed, with two cases of cardiac constriction due to electrodes.
Impact:
- AICDs are effective in preventing sudden cardiac death.
- Device malfunction and unclear shock indication warrant further investigation.
- Further research needed to optimize AICD performance and shock management.