Preventing sudden cardiac death

Preview

An exciting new era has begun in the management of patients who either have survived or are at risk for lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Electrophysiologic testing, a remarkably safe procedure, can be used to guide selection of the best protective drug regimen. A new device, the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, continuously monitors the heart rate and converts sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm. Drs Lehmann and Steinman anticipate a significant reduction of the death rate in these patients in the coming years.