ICD TRIALS - AN EXTRAORDINARY MEANS OF DETERMINING PATIENT RISK

Extensive clinical experience with the implantable cardioverter defibr illator (ICD) combined with recently completed prospective, randomized trials like MADIT and AVID, have demonstrated the lifesaving efficacy of this therapy and its superiority compared to conventional medical management in treating patients at high risk of sudden arrhythmic deat h. This evidence has in turn spurred great interest in further ICD stu dies. Since the ability of the ICD to save lives is no longer in quest ion, there is a need to reexamine the real objectives of these neu stu dies.