Pre-discharge defibrillation testing: Is it still justified?

Pre-discharge defibrillation testing: Is it still justified?

BACKGROUND An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is routinely used to prevent sudden cardiac death. Since the introduction of that device into clinical practice, a defibrillation test (the so-called pre-discharge test [PDT]) has been an inseparable part of the ICD implantation procedure. Recently, the usefulness of PDT has been called into question. METHODS The aim of this research ...

Pre-discharge defibrillation testing: clinically important or obsolete?

One of the most controversial and hotly debated topics in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) management is the role of defibrillation testing. As with most areas of clinical controversy, the lack of controlled studies to guide the decision process is largely responsible for the ongoing differences in opinion. In the early period of ICD use, defibrillation testing was mandatory given t...

[Acute cholecystitis: is it still justified to delay surgery?].

INTRODUCTION Acute cholecystitis treatment may initially be surgical or conservative with subsequent surgery; we reviewed the cases found in our centre, including their treatment and outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of treatment in 178 patients with acute cholecystitis during one year. We evaluated variables associated with patient characteristics, as well as c...

Is mastectomy still justified--and if, in which patients?

Is defibrillation testing required for defibrillator implantation?

The assessment of defibrillation (DFT) efficacy has long been the standard of care during defibrillator implantation. To ensure an acceptable DFT safety margin, early defibrillator systems frequently required that the shock polarity and the location, type, or number of electrodes had to be altered. Advances in defibrillator and lead technology have resulted in lower and more consistent DFT thre...