Tag Archives: implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Introduction Dr Selwyn Brendon Goldthorpe Indications for the use of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have become more defined over time, resulting in many more patients receiving these devices.1 Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedure is the term used to encompass pacemaker and ICD implant surgery. As of 2016, it was estimated that there were about 1.14 million pacemakers globally. By the year 2023, that number is expected to increase to 1.43 million units.2 Many nations are now keeping records of the implant complication rate for pacemakers and ICDs.3-6 As in any surgical procedure, a complication

Introduction An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is used for primary and secondary prophylaxis in the treatment of life-threatening arrhythmia. Guidelines for ICD patients, originally published in 2005, advise against any competitive sports more vigorous than ‘Class IA’ activities such as bowling or golf.1 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC) embraced this advice stating “for legal and ethical reasons athletes receiving cardiovascular drugs and devices such as pacemakers and ICDs are generally not allowed to participate in high-grade competition.”2 For

Optimising care UK hospitals should set up acute heart failure units to help raise standards of care, according to Professor Henry Dargie (Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow). Presenting the inaugural Philip Poole-Wilson memorial lecture (see box), Professor Dargie said that there have been great improvements in heart failure treatment, with effective drugs, devices and interventions, plus a multidisciplinary team approach. In addition, clinical trials have shown a 50% absolute reduction in heart failure mortality with modern treatments, proving what can be achieved with specialist care. But trial results are not being reproduced in c