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Do Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Lower the Risk of Sudden Death and Total Mortality in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease?

  • Arrhythmias (J. Bunch, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Although the risk of sudden cardiac death is high in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), it is not clear if such patients benefit from the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This paper reviews data on the risk of sudden cardiac death in ESRD patients and examines data on outcomes of ICDs in such patients.

Recent Findings

Data from observational studies suggest that primary prevention ICDs may lower the risk of mortality in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease but not in patients with ESRD. Data on secondary prevention ICDs in the setting of ESRD suggest survival benefit in select patients. The subcutaneous ICD is a promising therapy in patients with ESRD, but more data are needed on its short- and long-term outcomes in these patients.

Summary

Future studies should examine the outcomes of transvenous and subcutaneous ICDs in patients with ESRD.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Sana M. Al-Khatib & Daniel J. Friedman

  2. Duke Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Sana M. Al-Khatib & Daniel J. Friedman

  3. Cardiology Section, Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System and Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Paul L. Hess

  4. Division of Nephrology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Patrick H. Pun

  5. Clinical Pharmacology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Gillian D. Sanders

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  1. Sana M. Al-Khatib
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  2. Daniel J. Friedman
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  3. Paul L. Hess
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  4. Patrick H. Pun
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  5. Gillian D. Sanders
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sana M. Al-Khatib.

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Conflict of Interest

Drs Al-Khatib, Friedman, Hess, Pun, and Sanders declare no conflicts of interests.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Arrhythmias

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Al-Khatib, S.M., Friedman, D.J., Hess, P.L. et al. Do Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Lower the Risk of Sudden Death and Total Mortality in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease?. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 11, 25 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-017-0551-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-017-0551-8

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