A new type of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) performs just as well as the conventional kind, according to results from an international study.
ICDs work by delivering an electric shock to the heart if its rhythm is abnormally disturbed. The new subcutaneous implantable-cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) works in the same way as an ICD, however this new solution is able to defibrillate the heart with only an electrode that is placed beneath the skin instead of electrical wires inside the heart or blood vessels.
A team at The Heart Hospital, led by BRC-funded Professor Pier Lambiase, has been implanting the S-ICD for the past two years.
Professor Lambiase is lead author on a recent paper documenting early results from the ‘EFFORTLESS’ registry, an international standard of care registry designed to collect short, mid and long-term operational and clinical outcome data on the S-ICD System. The paper has highlighted the benefits of the S-ICD system for a broad range of patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
The overall efficacy of the S-ICD system following 456 patients over 18 months who had spontaneous arrhythmic episodes was 96%, with 88% terminated effectively on first shock, and a 100% success rate after a maximum of five shocks.
As cardiologists do not have to pass wires into the heart to deliver treatment this is a new response to treating arrhythmic episodes for patients and doctors. Wires are often the weak link in defibrillator therapy and have been known to fracture, dislodge from the heart, and experience other problems that can result in a shortfall of therapy or to unnecessary shocks.
Up to 1,000 patients in New Zealand and six countries across Europe who have the S-ICD system implanted will be followed for at least five years to assess the performance of the new device over time.
To read Worldwide experience with a totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator: early results from the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry in full click here.
