Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in heart failure: will the solution be shocking?

J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997 Dec;30(7):1589-97. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(97)00361-6.

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) may occur in as many as 40% of all patients who suffer from heart failure. This review describes the scope of the problem, risk factors for SCD, the effect of medications used in heart failure on SCD and the potential effect of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in primary prevention.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable*
  • Digoxin / therapeutic use
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Heart Failure / mortality
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diuretics
  • Digoxin