HRS/ACC/AHA expert consensus statement on the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in patients who are not included or not well represented in clinical trials.

Abstract

1. Introduction 95 2. Current Guidelines that Address ICD Use 95 3. Randomized Controlled Trials of ICD Therapy for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death 96 4. ICD Implantation in the Context of an Abnormal Troponin that Is Not Due to a Myocardial Infarction 100 5. ICD Implantation Within 40 Days of a Myocardial Infarction 101 6. ICD Implantation Within 90 Days of Revascularization 105 7. ICD Implantation < 9 Months from the Initial Diagnosis of Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy 110 8. Dual-Chamber vs Single-Chamber ICD Recommendations 114 9. Documentation of Clinical Decisions 116 10. Future Research and Directions 117 The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has emerged as an important treatment option for selected patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death. Randomized trials have consistently shown that ICD implantation reduces mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular function, as well as in patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest.1–3 Recommendations on the use of the ICD in clinical practice have been provided in four important guideline documents sponsored by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).4–7 For each indication for ICD therapy, both a Class of indication (I, II, or III) and level of evidence for the indication (A, B, or C) are provided. To ensure that recommendations are evidence-based, Class I recommendations are typically based on the results of prospective randomized clinical trials. For example, in the ACC/AHA/HRS 2012 Focused Update of the …