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Implantable and Wearable Defibrillator Therapy

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Cardiac Arrhythmias, Pacing and Sudden Death

Abstract

Based on the results of multiple prospective randomized trials, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has become the dominant strategy for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. When used in conjunction with cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with impaired left ventricular function, left bundle-branch block, and heart failure, ICDs have resulted in decreased heart failure hospitalizations and prolonged survival. These improved outcomes are also accompanied by reverse remodeling based on echo parameters. More recently, a totally subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator has been developed. While it eliminates the transvenous lead, it has no bradycardia or antitachycardia pacing. The role of the wearable cardiac defibrillator in prevention of sudden cardiac death in high-risk populations remains less clearly defined due to the absence of appropriate designed prospective randomized trials.

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Correspondence to Samir Saba M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S. .

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Saba, S., Mark Estes, N.A. (2017). Implantable and Wearable Defibrillator Therapy. In: Kowey, P., Piccini, J., Naccarelli, G., Reiffel, J. (eds) Cardiac Arrhythmias, Pacing and Sudden Death. Cardiovascular Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58000-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58000-5_11

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