UPDATE ON IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATORS - NEW, SAFER DEVICES HAVE LED TO CHANGES IN INDICATIONS

Sudden cardiac arrest continues to exact a heavy toll among Americans, with most deaths related to ventricular fibrillation or ventricular t achycardias requiring electrical countershock. Advances in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) technology are expanding the applica tions for these devices. Therefore, it is important that primary care physicians know when this therapy is indicated and how ICDs work. The authors discuss who should be considered for implantation of such a de vice and explain the technology involved.