Avoiding ICD Implantation in Primary Electrical Disease

At the Heart Rhythm Society's 40th Annual Heart Rhythm Scientific Sessions in May 2019, Dr. Michael Ackerman, a genetic cardiologist at Mayo Clinic was interviewed by touchCARDIO and was asked, "How can we avoid implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation in primary electrical disease?"

In the video Dr. Ackerman discusses that these electrical heart diseases, chiefly long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), there is a tremendous overuse of ICD therapy. He specifies three things that he expresses a need in the heart rhythm community to acknowledge and work on to avoid ICD implantation as a primary treatment.

1. Right diagnosis
2. Timely diagnosis
3. Become more confident in non-ICD treatment

To read more about implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), check out Mayo Clinic's information on their website. You can also visit the Heart Rhythm Conditions group to join discussions and read other people's opinions and experiences with genetic heart rhythm disorders and ICD treatments.