The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in review

Publication date: Available online 17 August 2019Source: American Heart JournalAuthor(s): Nicholas J Kamp, Sana M Al-KhatibAbstractThe subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) is a completely extrathoracic device that has recently been FDA approved for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in select populations. Although the transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (TV-ICD) has a proven mortality benefit in multiple patient populations, there are significant risks both with implantation and years after its placement. The S-ICD may help prevent some of these complications. Currently, the S-ICD is typically implanted in patients with prior device infection or at an increased risk for an infection, younger patients with difficult venous access related to either hemodialysis or difficult cardiac anatomy, patients who live active lifestyles, and those who may outlive the TV-ICD leads. There is an absolute contraindication for S-ICD implantations for patients who need pacing either for ventricular tachycardia or bradycardia as this device cannot perform these functions. To date, there are no randomized controlled trial data evaluating the safety and efficacy of this relatively new device. Observational studies of both the S-ICD alone and in comparison with the TV-ICD have showed promising results, including a decrease in lead related and periprocedural complications as well as a high level of effectiveness at terminating ventricular arrhythmias. These ...
Source: American Heart Journal - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research