Korean J Med.  2016 Mar;90(3):210-216. 10.3904/kjm.2016.90.3.210.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

• Park HS

• KMID: 2155934
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2016.90.3.210

Abstract

The use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an effective treatment strategy for patients with aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Primary prevention of SCD is a strategy involving the use of ICDs in patients who are at high risk for but who have not had any previous events of ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves symptoms of heart failure and left ventricular systolic function when used in patients with severe heart failure symptoms, reduced left ventricular ejection, and a wide QRS complex. CRT has also been proven to reduce the rate of hospitalization due to heart failure as well as the rate of death from any cause. In this review, we discuss the clinical trials and current clinical indications for the ICD and CRT.

Keyword

Defibrillators, Implantable; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Heart failure

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy*
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Defibrillators, Implantable*
Heart Arrest
Heart Failure
Hospitalization
Humans
Primary Prevention
Tachycardia