RT Journal
A1 Bradley DJ
T1 COmbining resynchronization and defibrillation therapies for heart failure
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2003
FD May 28
VO 289
IS 20
SP 2719
OP 2721
DO 10.1001/jama.289.20.2719
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.20.2719
AB 
Despite major advances in pharmacological therapy during the past 2
decades,1- 2 heart failure is associated
with more than 280 000 deaths annually in the United States.3 The most common modes of death among patients with
symptomatic heart failure are sudden cardiac death and death from progressive
heart failure.2 Two classes of implantable
cardiac devices, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac
resynchronization devices, separately address these modes of death in heart
failure. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators can terminate potentially
lethal ventricular arrhythmias by pacing or shocking the heart. In high-risk
patients, ICDs reduce sudden cardiac death by 57% relative to usual care and
improve overall survival.4 Implantable cardioverter
defibrillators, however, generally do not improve quality of life.5