PREVENTION-ACHD: PRospEctiVE study on implaNTable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and suddeN cardiac death in...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients face a significant risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).
• Current evidence for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) use in primary prevention of SCD in ACHD is insufficient.
• The growing and aging ACHD population necessitates better risk stratification and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively validate a novel risk score for predicting SCD in ACHD patients.
• To evaluate current international guideline recommendations for ICD implantation in this population.
• To provide robust clinical evidence for the primary prevention of SCD in ACHD.

Main Methods:

• The PREVENTION-ACHD study is a prospective research initiative.
• Patients are assessed using a new risk score and existing ICD guidelines.
• Follow-up duration is two years, with SCD and sustained ventricular arrhythmias as primary endpoints.
• The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03957824).

Main Results:

• Results are pending as this is a prospective study.
• The study aims to identify key predictors of SCD in ACHD.
• Validation of the novel risk score will be determined by its predictive accuracy.

Conclusions:

• PREVENTION-ACHD is the first prospective study focused on SCD in ACHD.
• There is an urgent need for improved clinical evidence to guide SCD primary prevention in ACHD.
• Findings will inform clinical practice and potentially refine ICD implantation criteria.