Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 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-defibrillator implementation in acute heart failure syndromes: unanswered questions

Norman C Wang1, Jonathan P Piccini, Mihai Gheorghiade

  • 1Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, B-535, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. wangnc@upmc.edu

Heart Failure Reviews
|March 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators reduce mortality in stable heart failure patients. Their benefit in acute heart failure settings with reduced ejection fraction remains unknown, warranting further literature review.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are effective in reducing mortality for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
  • Proven benefits are established in primary and secondary prevention for stable outpatients with heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on the efficacy of ICDs in patients with chronically reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in the acute heart failure setting.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of randomized trials and studies.
  • Analysis of data concerning ICD implantation in acute heart failure scenarios.

Main Results:

  • Existing evidence primarily focuses on stable heart failure patients.
  • The benefit of ICDs in acute heart failure settings with reduced ejection fraction is not yet established.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to determine the role of ICDs in acute heart failure management.
  • The current literature does not support or refute ICD use in this specific patient population.

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