Cardiac defibrillation

Abstract

The widespread adoption of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has made a striking impact on the mortality and morbidity associated with ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, common causes of sudden death, but many problems remains. The improvement of current techniques and the development of new approaches to the management of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death require significant contributions from basic science, to understand the mechanisms of fibrillation and defibrillation; engineering, to make the devices more robust, smaller safer, and less expensive; and clinical science, to demonstrate efficacy and identity those patients who will benefit most from this approach. All these considerations must be addressed in the context of the goals of reducing medical costs through more efficient practice.