THE AUTOMATED IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR - PROPHYLAXIS IN CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS

A patient with cardiac sarcoidosis proved by biopsy specimen and no hi story of sudden death or clinical sustained ventricular tachycardia pr ophylactically received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD ) that later reversed an episode of near syncope. The patient was supp orted with the ICD until heart transplantation, The physiology and tre atment of arrhythmias associated with cardiac sarcoidosis is described . Consideration for use of the ICD in asymptomatic patients and as bri dge therapy until heart transplantation is discussed.