Due to continuously improved technologies, the present generation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) guarantees a high degree of safety and efficacy for detecting and terminating ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This paper summarizes the clinical results obtained with 1058 single-chamber ICD (Phylax 6, Phylax XM, Biotronik) employing single-lead and active housing technology (SPS and Kainox RV (single coil), SL-ICD and Kainox SL (double coil, Biotronik). In all but 3 patients (> 99%), reliable low-energy defibrillation was achieved using transvenous leads only. This has led to the trend to replace DFT testing by a short function test during implantation in order to minimize the risks associated with repeated induction of fibrillation and extended anesthesia.
Defibrillators; Tachycardia; Ventricular fibrillation
