Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for New-Onset Ventricular Arrhythmia (VT/VF) in ICD Patients

• Published in: Cardiac electrophysiology clinics Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 651 - 661
• Main Authors: Nair, Girish M., MBBS, FRCPC, Healey, Jeffrey S., MD, MSc, FRCPC, Divakaramenon, Syamkumar M., MBBS, MD, DM, Connolly, Stuart J., MD, FRCPC, Morillo, Carlos A., MD, FRCPC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-12-2011
• Subjects: Antiarrhythmic drug therapy; Cardiovascular; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Ventricular arrhythmia; Ventricular arrhythmia; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Antiarrhythmic drug therapy
• ISSN: 1877-9182; 1877-9190
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2011.08.009

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been firmly established as the treatment of choice in patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death. However, a majority of patients will invariably develop recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and receive shocks at some point after ICD implantation. Ventricular arrhythmia and ICD therapy are poor prognostic markers in such patients, and are associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy should be initiated in patients with ventricular arrhythmia and ICD shocks. Amiodarone is the most effective AAD available, with sotalol being the next best alternative.