Placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the only powerful treatment modality for Brugada syndrome in patients presenting with ventricular fibrillation (VF). For those whose first presentation is an electrical storm, pharmacologic therapy is typically used to control VF followed by ICD implantation. We report an alternative approach whereby, before ICD implantation, emerg...

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy has emerged as the most effective treatment for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Most studies indicate that ICD therapy in appropriately selected patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is associated with cost-effectiveness ratios similar to, or better than, other accepted treatments, including renal dialysis. The up-fron...

Studies examining the quality of life of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients have consistently demonstrated that ICD patient quality of life is at least equal to, if not better than, that of patients treated with medications alone.1 Quality of life may be related in part to the patient’s ability to resume “pre-ICD” activities; however, sexual activity is rarely included as par...

The implantable-cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead is the most vulnerable component of the ICD system. Despite advanced engineering design, sophisticated manufacturing techniques, and extensive bench, pre-clinical, and clinical testing, lead failure (LF) remains the Achilles' heel of the ICD system. ICD LF has a broad range of adverse outcomes, ranging from intermittent inappropriate pacing ...

BACKGROUND It is not known whether the number of revascularizations modifies clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) vs. an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)-only. METHODS In Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT), we evaluate...

OBJECTIVES We aimed to quantify the frequency and nature of early complications after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation in general practice, and estimate the incremental costs of those complications to the health care system. BACKGROUND Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation rates are rising quickly. Little has been published regarding the outcomes and costs of these ...

INTRODUCTION The latest European Society of Cardiology Guidelines recommend consideration of a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) for patients with a poor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who are at risk of sudden arrhythmic death but are not eligible for an implantable defibrillator. For these patients a WCD can be an alternative to long-term hospitalisation. PURPOSE To evalu...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to quantify the impact that longer battery life of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices has on reducing the number of device replacements and associated costs of these replacements from a Swedish health care system perspective. METHODS An economic model based on real-world published data was developed to estimate cost saving...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) were introduced in clinical practice in 1980 and they are considered the standard treatment for individuals at risk for fatal ventricular arrhythmias. To ensure proper working conditions, the energy necessary to interrupt ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation should be determined during implantation by a test ...