Published in:
11-07-2022 | Sudden Cardiac Death | Arrhythmia (R Kabra, Section Editor)
Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine | Issue 7/2022
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Purpose of review
Implantable cardiac defibrillators have been utilised in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, in a primary prevention capacity since 1996. The early trials utilised electrophysiology studies to identify high-risk individuals, but contemporary imaging modalities were not widely available when these trials were conducted.
Recent findings
This review assess evidence from previous trials, which contributed to the formulation of current guidelines. There is data demonstrating ventricular arrhythmias occurring in individuals that were not initially eligible for implantable cardiac defibrillators. We investigate the validity of electrophysiology studies in risk stratifying patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and the plausibility of employing non-invasive techniques to improve this process. It also examines recent data on how novel medical therapy reduces rate of sudden cardiac death.