Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow References
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Disclaimer
Right arrow Request Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Allot, E
Right arrow Articles by Sadoul, N
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Allot, E
Right arrow Articles by Sadoul, N
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?


Ventricular instability and sudden death in patients with heart failure: lessons from clinical trials

E Allot*, C de Chillou and N Sadoul

University of Nancy, Nancy, France

* Correspondence: E. Aliot, MD, University of Nancy, Hôpital de Brabois, rue du Morvan, 54511 Vandoeuvre cedex, France.

Abstract

Various trials using non-antiarrhythmic drugs, antiarrhythmic agents and implantable-cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been performed in order to decrease the incidence of sudden death and to improve survival in chronic heart failure (CHF). The present review addresses some of the key findings of those trials. First, it addresses the importance of considering the potential electrophysiological effects of non-antiarrhythmic drugs and of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers and antialdosterone agents in the optimal management of patients with CHF. Second, it reviews the effects of the antiarrhythmic agent amiodarone on mortality and arrhythmic deaths in patients with depressed left ventricular function. Third, it assesses the evidence that patients with CHF and a history of sustained ventricular arrhythmias or resuscitation may benefit from ICD implantation. Finally, it outlines the growing role of ICD therapy in patients with CHF as a primary indication.

Key Words: Amiodarone • angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors • antiarrhythmic drugs • beta-blockers • congestive heart failure • implantable cardioverter-defibrillator • sudden death • ventricular arrhythmias


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.