Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are an effective treatment strategy for patients with aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. rimary prevention of SCD is a strategy involving the use of ICDs in patients who are at high risk for, but have not had, any previous events of ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of ICDs in the primary prevention of SCD. Therefore, ICD implantation is recommended as a standard of care by the guidelines in patients who have ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy and a low left ventricular ejection fraction. However, the rates of ICD implantation as a primary prevention in Korea is quite low compared to western countries. In this review, we will summarize the results and efficacy of ICDs in the clinical trials about primary prevention of SCD, the current treatment guidelines, and the reimbursement policy of Korean health insurance. We hope that this review will help broaden the recognition of importance of ICD implantation for the primary prevention of SCD.