Appropriate and inappropriate therapies of implantable cardioverterdefibrillators

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) reduce mortality of patients with risk of sudden cardiac death in primary and secondary prevention. Patients with implanted ICD can receive appropriate and inappropriate therapies with different incidence in both indication groups. There are some factors which can predict the incidence of ICD therapies. In some cases higher incidence of ICD therapies could negatively impact quality of patients lives. As predictive factors for higher incidence of appropriate therapies are discussed: reduced left venctricular ejection fraction, body mass index, chronic renal failure and frequent hospitalization for acute decompensation of chronic heart failure. As predictive factors for higher incidence of inappropriate therapies are discussed supraventricular tachycardia in patients history and single-chamber implantable kardioverter- defibrillator. The article summarizes indication criteria, incidence, predictive factors and treatment of appropriate and inappropriate therapies.