Modeling Outcome of Implantable Defibrillator Patients

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden cessation of cardiac activity so that the victim becomes unresponsive, with no normal breathing and no signs of circulation. If corrective measures are not taken rapidly, this condition progresses to sudden cardiac death (SCD).1 Sudden cardiac death is caused by ventricular arrhythmias in the majority of cases. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy has shown to be highly effective in terminating these life-threatening arrhythmias, but is associated with potentially severe complications and high costs. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge on the epidemiology, the etiology, and the preventive therapy of SCD. Also, the topic of costeffectiveness of ICD therapy is introduced.