Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators after Myocardial Infarction

doi:10.1056/NEJMra0803409

Volume 359:2245-2253		November 20, 2008		Number 21

Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillators after Myocardial Infarction

Robert J. Myerburg, M.D.

Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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PubMed Citation

Persons who survive a myocardial infarction are at increasedrisk for sudden death from cardiac causes, owing largely toventricular tachyarrhythmias.¹^,² The risk of sudden death aftera myocardial infarction is highest during the first 12 monthsand then declines.³^,⁴^,⁵^,⁶ Although survival during the acuteand early convalescent phases after a myocardial infarctionhas improved as a result of therapies introduced during thepast 25 years,⁷ a delayed increase in the risk of sudden deathfrom cardiac causes after the initial convalescent phase hasbecome evident. Those in whom ventricular remodeling and heartfailure develop are at greatest risk⁸^,⁹ (. . . [Full Text of this Article]

Evidence of the Benefit and Reliability of ICDs

Primary Prevention of Sudden Death after Myocardial Infarction

Selection of Patients for Primary Prevention

Ejection Fraction

Heart Failure

QRS Duration

Time-Dependent Benefit

Coexisting Conditions and Age

Other Considerations

Areas of Uncertainty

Recommendations

Source Information

From the Division of Cardiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Myerburg at the Division of Cardiology (D-39), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960, Miami, FL 33101, or at rmyerbur@med.miami.edu.