Feasibility and safety of a cardiologist-only approach to sedation for DFT testing

Abstract

Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing has been performed to “prove” the ability of the implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) to effectively terminate ventricular fibrillation (VF). DFT testing has been considered as the gold standard for many years, but recently has become a matter of intense debate due to some limitations of the testing in predicting ICD efficacy and the reports of DFT testing-related near death, stroke, acute hemodynamic compromise [1–3]. Moreover, DFT is a painful procedure requiring sedation and analgesia, usually not required during the implant.