Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in postinfarct patients and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

In patients with structural heart disease and sustained symptomatic ventric ular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation without reversible cause, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has become the therapy of first choi ce. Besides the ,,MADIT indication", however, arrhythmia risk stratificatio n with regard to prophylactic ICD implantation is an unsolved problem. This overview summarizes the currently very limited clinical value of potential risk predictors for sudden cardiac death in postinfarct patients and in pa tients with dilated cardiomyopathy.