Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias and Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators to Improve Survival in Older Adult Patients with Cardiac Disease

Authors

Jason T. Jacobson, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Sei Iwai, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Wilbert S. Aronow, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.1016/j.hfc.2017.02.015

Journal Title

Heart Failure Clinics

First Page

589

Last Page

605

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2017

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) are well-recognized problems in the overall heart failure population, but treatment decisions can be more complex and nuanced in older patients. Sustained VA does not always lead to SCD, but identifies a higher risk population and may cause significant symptoms. Antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) and catheter ablation are the mainstays for prevention of VA, but have not been shown to improve mortality. The value of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) may be influenced by patient age. This article discusses long-term treatment of VA and the use of ICDs in the elderly.

Recommended Citation

Jacobson, J. T., Iwai, S., & Aronow, W. S. (2017). Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias and Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators to Improve Survival in Older Adult Patients with Cardiac Disease. Heart Failure Clinics, 13 (3), 589-605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hfc.2017.02.015

Publisher's Statement

Originally published in Heart Failure Clinics. The original material can be found here.