Contents

### **Preface XI**


Benchaa, H. Khachab, O. Rica and C. Barnay

#### X Contents


Preface

date".

In highly developed countries, sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (VF/VT) plays a prominent role in mortality since several decades. The invention of cardiac defibrillation proved to be a decisive step in the therapy and prophylaxis of SCD. As internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy became widely available, a continuous development followed in the number and type of leads, programming capabilities and differential algorithms of these devices. Indications for ICD therapy also underwent consecutive changes and actualizations. However, several important issues concerning contraindications, possible complications, perioperative management including anticoagulation and antibiotic therapy, and the programming and follow-up of ICD devices are much less discussed in the available guidelines. In this book we tried to round up practical advices and protocols from colleagues working in the USA, Canada, Jordan, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Germany. We hope that you will find this book helpful for cardiologists and electrophysiologists to keep their knowledge "up-to-

> **Editor: Dr. Damir Erkapic, M.D.** University of Giessen and Marburg, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center,

**Co-editor: Dr. Tamas Bauernfeind, M.D.** SRH Zentralklinikum Suhl gGmbH

Bad Nauheim, Germany

Internal Medicine I Suhl, Germany

Kevin A Michael, Damian P Redfearn and Mark L Brown
