Efficacy of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation

8 of 122 patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in our department since 1985 for the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias were considered candidates for cardiac transplantation. In 6 of 8 patients, at least one successful ICD discharge (range 1-378 discharges) was do...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWiener Klinische Wochenschrift Vol. 107; no. 16; p. 485
Main Authors Podczeck, A, Hief, C, Jakl, G, Frohner, K, Nürnberg, M, Kaltenbrunner, W, Veit, F, Laufer, G, Steinbach, K
Format Journal Article
LanguageGerman
Published Austria 1995
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Defibrillators, Implantable
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Transplantation
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Survival Rate
Tachycardia, Ventricular - mortality
Tachycardia, Ventricular - therapy
Treatment Outcome
Waiting Lists
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Summary:8 of 122 patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in our department since 1985 for the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias were considered candidates for cardiac transplantation. In 6 of 8 patients, at least one successful ICD discharge (range 1-378 discharges) was documented in the follow up time until transplantation. These therapies included cardioversions/defibrillations as well as overdrive stimulation in sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. 1 patient died shortly before receiving a compatible organ. The remaining 7 patients survived successful heart transplantation undertaken 7-34 months after implantation of the cardioverter defibrillator. Cardiac transplantation was not complicated in any of these patients by the previous ICD management. Our results show the high efficacy of ICD as "bridge to transplant" therapy unit cardiac transplantation.
ISSN:0043-5325