The use of implanted defibrillators that keep the heart beating in proper electrical rhythm to prevent cardiac arrest appears to be cost-effective for those patients who receive a significant mortality reduction, according to researchers from Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Calif.
They analyzed eight clinical trials of the devices to arrive at their conclusion.
The results of the team’s analysis demonstrated that although expensive, in appropriate patients ICDs provide value.
However, given the number of patients now eligible for ICD implantation, their analysis highlighted the need for further research into which patients are at higher risk for sudden cardiac de ath and therefore would benefit the most from this therapy, since the devices would be the most cost-effective for these patients, the researchers added.