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Updated: May 2, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in today's world
Giuseppe Boriani1, Paolo Cimaglia1, Mauro Biffi1
1Institute of Cardiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University Hospital Sant' Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Insights
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) effectively prevent sudden cardiac death but pose cost challenges. This review explores economic tools to aid decision-making for ICD implementation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are established therapies for preventing sudden cardiac death (SCD) in various heart conditions.
- Expanded guidelines now recommend prophylactic ICDs, increasing patient eligibility and implementation costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review economic tools for addressing the cost challenges associated with ICD therapy.
- To facilitate informed decision-making among healthcare professionals, administrators, and policymakers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of economic evaluation tools relevant to medical devices.
- Analysis of cost-effectiveness and budget impact models for ICDs.
Main Results:
- ICDs demonstrate significant clinical benefits but require substantial upfront investment.
- Economic tools can help quantify long-term value and guide resource allocation for ICDs.
Conclusions:
- Understanding economic implications is crucial for the sustainable integration of ICDs.
- Economic evaluations support rational decision-making in the widespread implementation of ICD therapy.
Abstract:
The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an example of an effective intervention with high up-front costs and delayed benefits. It has become a proven and well-accepted therapy not only for secondary but also for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. In recent years, the international guidelines have extended the indications to the prophylactic ICD, increasing the number of eligible patients and, together, the financial challenges of a widespread implementation. In this article, we review the available economic tools that can help address the ICD cost issue. We think that the awareness of such knowledge may facilitate dialogues between physicians, administrators and policy-makers, and help foster rational decision making.
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