Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillator use for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death

  • Invasive Electrophysiology and Pacing
  • Published:
Current Cardiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is used for primary and secondary prophylaxis of sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. Although several trials have demonstrated the superiority of ICD over standard medical therapy or antiarrhythmic medication in this population, a few trials have not shown survival benefit. This review examines the major ICD trials that provide the basis for current therapy in this rapidly changing and very important area of cardiology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Myerburg RJ, Interian A Jr, Mitrani RM, et al.:Frequency of sudden cardiac death and profiles of risk.Am J Cardiol 1997,80:10F-19F.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Myerburg RJ, Kessler KM, Castellanos A:Sudden cardiac death: epidemiology, transient risk, and intervention assessment.Ann Intern Med 1993,119:1187–1197.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Podrid PJ, Myerburg RJ:Epidemiology and stratification of risk for sudden cardiac death.Clin Cardiol 2005,28(11 Suppl 1):I3-I11.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Huikuri HV, Castellanos A, Myerburg RJ:Sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias.N Engl J Med 2001,345:1473–1482.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Of importance Zipes DP:Epidemiology and mechanisms of sudden cardiac death.Can J Cardiol 2005,21(Suppl A):37–40. Explains the underlying pathophysiology of SCD.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hilleman DE, Bauman AL:Role of antiarrhythmic therapy in patients at risk for sudden cardiac death: an evidencebased review.Pharmacotherapy 2001,21:556–575.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mirowski M, Reid PR, Mower MM, et al.:Termination of malignant ventricular arrhythmias with an implanted automatic defibrillator in human beings.N Engl J Med 1980,303:322–324.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Of major importance Zipes DP, Camm AJ, Borggrefe M, et al.:ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (writing committee to develop Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death): developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society.Circulation 2006,114:e385-e484. Present guidelines for ICD implantation and management of SCD.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Of major importance Bardy GH, Lee KL, Mark DB, et al.:Amiodarone or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for congestive heart failure.N Engl J Med 2005,352:225–237. This publication of SCD-HeFT trial showed the benefit of ICD therapy in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Abraham WT, Fisher WG, Smith AL, et al.:Cardiac resynchronization in chronic heart failure.N Engl J Med 2002,346:1845–1853.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gras D, Leclercq C, Tang AS, et al.:Cardiac resynchronization therapy in advanced heart failure the multicenter InSync clinical study.Eur J Heart Fail 2002,4:311–320.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Linde C, Leclercq C, Rex S, et al.:Long-term benefits of biventricular pacing in congestive heart failure: results from the MUltisite STimulation in cardiomyopathy (MUSTIC) study.J Am Coll Cardiol 2002,40:111–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Young JB, Abraham WT, Smith AL, et al.:Combined cardiac resynchronization and implantable cardioversion defibrillation in advanced chronic heart failure: the MIRACLE ICD Trial.JAMA 2003,289:2685–2694.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bristow MR, Saxon LA, Boehmer J, et al.:Cardiac-resynchronization therapy with or without an implantable defibrillator in advanced chronic heart failure.N Engl J Med 2004,350:2140–2150.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Of major importance Cleland JG, Daubert JC, Erdmann E, et al.:The effect of cardiac resynchronization on morbidity and mortality in heart failure.N Engl J Med 2005,352:1539–1549. This trial showed mortality benefit of CRT without a defibrillator.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Moss AJ, Zareba W, Hall WJ, et al.:Prophylactic implantation of a defibrillator in patients with myocardial infarction and reduced ejection fraction.N Eng J Med 2002,346:877–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Buxton AE, Lee KL, Fisher JD, et al.:A randomized study of the prevention of sudden death in patients with coronary artery disease Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial Investigators,N Engl J Med 1999,341:1882–1890.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Moss AJ, Hall WJ, Cannom DS, et al.:Improved survival with an implanted defibrillator in patients with coronary disease at high risk for ventricular arrhythmia. Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial Investigators.N Engl J Med 1996,335:1933–1940.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hohnloser SH, Kuck KH, Dorian P, et al.:Prophylactic use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator after acute myocardial infarction.N Engl J Med 2004,351:2481–2488.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bigger JT Jr:Prophylactic use of implanted cardiac defibrillators in patients at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias after coronary-artery bypass graft surgery. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Patch Trial Investigators.N Engl J Med 1997,337:1569–1575.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kunavarapu C, Bloomfield DM:Role of noninvasive studies in risk stratification for sudden cardiac death.Clin Cardiol 2004,27:192–197.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. A comparison of antiarrhythmic-drug therapy with implantable defibrillators in patients resuscitated from near-fatal ventricular arrhythmias. The Antiarrhythmics versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Investigators.N Engl J Med, 1997,337:1576–1583.

  23. Solomon SD, Zelenkofske S, McMurray JJ, et al.:Sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, or both.N Engl J Med 2005,352:2581–2588.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Lee DS, Green LD, Liu PP, et al.:Effectiveness of implantable defibrillators for preventing arrhythmic events and death: a meta-analysis.J Am Coll Cardiol 2003,41:1573–1582.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Bansch D, Antz M, Boczor S, et al.:Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: the Cardiomyopathy Trial (CAT).Circulation 2002,105:1453–1458.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Strickberger SA, Hummel JD, Bartlett TG, et al.:Amiodarone versus implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: randomized trial in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and asymptomatic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia-AMIOVIRT.J Am Coll Cardiol 2003,41:1707–1712.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kadish A, Dyer A, Daubert JP, et al.:Prophylactic defibrillator implantation in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.N Engl J Med 2004,350:2151–2158.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kadish A, Schaechter A, Subacius H, et al.,:Patients with recently diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators J Am Coll Cardiol 2006,47:2477–2482.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fonarow GC, Feliciano Z, Boyle NG, et al.,:Improved survival in patients with nonischemic advanced heart failure and syncope treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.Am J Cardiol 2000,85:981–985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Knight BP, Goyal R, Pelosi F, et al.:Outcome of patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and unexplained syncope treated with an implantable defibrillator.J Am Coll Cardiol 1999,33:1964–1970.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ellenbogen KA, Levine JH, Berger RD, et al.:Are implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks a surrogate for sudden cardiac death in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy? Circulation 2006,113:776–782.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Cesario DA, Dec GW:Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in clinical practice.J Am Coll Cardiol 2006,47:1507–1517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Collins KK, Van Hare GF:Advances in congenital long QT syndrome.Curr Opin Pediatr 2006,18:497–502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Zareba W, Moss AJ, Daubert JP, et al.:Implantable cardioverter defibrillator in high-risk long QT syndrome patients.J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2003,14:337–341.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Zipes DP, Camm AJ, Borggrefe M, et al.: Guidelines for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Executive summary.Rev Esp Cardiol 2006,59:1328.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Gaita F, Giustetto C, Bianchi F, et al.:,Short QT syndrome: a familial cause of sudden death.Circulation 2003,108:965–970.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Priori SG, Napolitano C, Gasparini M, et al.:Natural history of Brugada syndrome: insights for risk stratification and management.Circulation 2002,105:1342–1347.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Haissaguerre M, Shoda M, Jais P, et al.:Mapping and ablation of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.Circulation 2002,106:962–967.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Sherrid MV:Pathophysiology and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2006,49:123–151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Cazeau S, Leclercq C, Lavergne T, et al.:Effects of multisite biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay.N Engl J Med 2001,344:873–880.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Bradley DJ, Bradley EA, Baughman KL, et al.:,Cardiac resynchronization and death from progressive heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.JAMA 2003,289:730–740.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Costantini O:The Alternans Before Cardioverter Defibrillator (ABCD) trial: a non-invasive strategy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death using T wave alternans Circulation 2006,114e2426.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Gold MR, Bloomfield DM, Anderson KP, et al.:A comparison of T-wave alternans, signal averaged electrocardiography and programmed ventricular stimulation for arrhythmia risk stratification.J Am Coll Cardiol 2000,36:2247–2253.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1800 North Capitol Avenue, 46202, Indianapolls, IN, USA

    John M. Miller MD

Authors
  1. Mithilesh K. Das MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rajdeep Gaitonde DO
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John M. Miller MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John M. Miller MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Das, M.K., Gaitonde, R. & Miller, J.M. Indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillator use for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Curr Cardiol Rep 9, 371–380 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938364

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938364

Keywords

Search

Navigation