Cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators relative to amiodarone for prevention of sudden cardiac death

Article Abstract:

It appears that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are more costly but may extend patient life longer compared to amiodarone drug treatment. An ICD is a device that detects an abnormal heart rhythm and shocks the heart back to normal rhythm. Researchers evaluated the theoretical cost-effectiveness of ICDs, amiodarone, and amiodarone possibly followed by an ICD based on a range of death rate reduction assumptions. ICDs may cost more than $50,000 per year of extended life and may be more costly for high-risk patients. This figure may be lower if ICDs are more than 30% more effective than amiodarone treatment.

Economic aspects, Defibrillators, Cardiovascular instruments, Implanted, Cardiovascular implants, Amiodarone

---

Who benefits from implantable heart defibrillators?

Article Abstract:

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can prevent cardiac arrest in some patients with severe heart disease, according to researchers who analyzed eight studies covering 4,909 patients. Patients most likely to benefit from an ICD included those who had survived a previous cardiac arrest, those with ventricular arrhythmias, and some patients with heart failure. ICDs are devices that detect an abnormal heart rhythm and then shock the heart back into its proper rhythm.

---

The clinical use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: where are we now? Where should we go?

Article Abstract:

All patients with coronary artery disease who have survived a cardiac arrest should receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). These are devices that detect an arrhythmia and shock the heart back into a proper rhythm. More research is needed before ICDs can be recommended to other patients with heart disease. More than half the people who have a heart attack and die suddenly did not have serious heart disease.

Editorial

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in men undergoing noncardiac surgery. Hospital use and survival among Veterans Affairs beneficiaries
• Abstracts: Depressed levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis but no relation with axial bone density
• Abstracts: Brother, can you paradigm; creative doctors can get on top of health system changes. Market gains for physicians?
• Abstracts: Researchers, doctors press for gay office at NIH. HCFA pleased with Medicare bundling of cardiac pay. New hope for key agenda items; medicine's leaders express cautious optimism
• Abstracts: Delayed diagnosis and elevated mortality in an urban population with HIV and lung cancer: Implications for patient care

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.