ESC recommends subcutaneous defibrillators for management of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death

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Updated ESC guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death have been announced during the ESC Congress 2015 (29 August–2 September, London, UK).

The guidelines now recommend that “subcutaneous defibrillators (S-ICDs) should be considered as an alternative to transvenous defibrillators in patients with an indication for an ICD when pacing therapy for bradycardia support, cardiac resynchronisation or antitachycardia pacing is not needed,” with a class of recommendation IIa.

“As the manufacturer of the world’s first and only subcutaneous defibrillator, we are extremely pleased that the updated ESC guidelines have now been published,” said Kenneth Stein, chief medical officer, Rhythm Management, Boston Scientific. “The guidelines recognise the strong clinical science supporting the compelling benefits of a device that can protect a broad range of patients from sudden cardiac death while leaving the heart and vascular system untouched. This represents another important milestone after the launch of Emblem S-ICD system, the second generation S-ICD, earlier this year.”