Authors' recommendations: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is typically defined as unanticipated death due to cardiac causes that occurs within 1 hour of the onset of acute symptoms. Approximately 287,000 people in the United States die each year from heart disease without being admitted to the hospital. The overwhelming majority of SCDs from heart disease are thought to be caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT). VF is rapid, uncoordinated twitching of the ventricle that replaces normal heart rhythm and may lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). From 75% to 80% of SCD is associated with ischemic heart disease and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are the most effective therapy for preventing SCD in patients with nonmodifiable risk factors. These devices provide defibrillation (correction of abnormal heart rhythms such as VF and VT) and may also offer pacing (control of abnormal heart rate associated with arrhythmias). Conventional transvenous ICDs (TV-ICDs) have leads (wires) lying within the right ventricle. Placement carries risks of infection, thrombosis, pneumothorax (puncture of the lung), pericardial effusion (fluid in the sac surrounding the heart), and tamponade (compression of the heart due to pericardial fluid). Replacement and extraction of leads are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=16005

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2013 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc