Sex and Racial Differences in the Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Among Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure

Top Cited Papers
Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
More than 350 000 people die annually as a result of sudden cardiac death, and a major risk factor for sudden cardiac death is heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.1-3 Half of all deaths from heart failure are sudden events thought to be attributable primarily to lethal arrhythmias.1 Several large randomized clinical trials have shown that implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy reduces mortality in heart failure patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.4-6 Thus, evaluation of systolic function is recommended in all patients with heart failure, and ICD therapy is recommended for patients with systolic dysfunction who meet certain criteria.7,8