Article Abstract:
An implantable defibrillator may prevent sudden death in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. Researchers implanted a small defibrillator into 128 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Forty-three had a history of cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation, a very serious arrhythmia. An implantable defibrillator detects arrhythmias and produces a small shock to stop them. In 29 patients, the defibrillator detected an arrhythmia and stopped it on at least one occasion.
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Article Abstract:
Studies are conducted to determine the relationship between clinical risk profile and incidence and efficacy of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) intervention in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Results reveal that in a high-risk HCM cohort, ICD interventions for life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias were frequent and highly effective in restoring normal rhythm.
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Article Abstract:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by an enlarged heart and abnormal heart function. However, many people with this condition have no symptoms and may have an excellent prognosis. Some have a gene mutation that is responsible for the condition, and the presence of the gene can be a marker for a more serious prognosis. Beta blockers and disopyramide can be useful in patients with moderate disease. Those with severe disease should be treated with diuretics, ACE inhibitors and digitalis. Surgery may be helpful in those with an anatomic abnormality. Cardiac pacing, implantable defibrillators and heart transplants are other possible treatments.
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