Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has been studied in 32 papers since 2021: 3 trials and 20 observational studies in people, 8 reviews; 14 in the past year. The newest paper, Nov 3, 2026: “Cardioprotection and Heart Failure Management in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies: A State-of-the-Art Review Across Pediatric and Transitional Age”.
32 papers study it10 findingsUpdated
5 new papers in 30 daysSee all 32 papers on implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 4 independent labs in 4 countries.
“ICD therapy was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality among participants with low frailty burden (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40-0.78)”
2 of its findings point the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 4 countries
- 2 findings against
- Funders: Gouvernement du Canada | Canadian Institutes of Health Research and 6 more
- 2 of 5 findings with company ties
- Human trial3
- Humans20
- In silico1
Studies in people
2 studies gave implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
no change: Has no effect on mortalityHR 0.92, 95% CI 0.68–1.24 | Randomized trial | 1,116 peopleClass 1 FI <0.210 in patients with nonischemic HFrEF | The American journal of cardiology, Sep 23, 2025 |
down: Decreases mortalityHR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40-0.78 no change: Has no effect on mortalityHR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.68-1.09 | Randomized trial | 1,676 peopleBothmean age: 59 ± 12 yearsMidlife adults; low frailty burden (FI ≤ median) in HFrEF | JACC. Heart failure, Aug 9, 2023 |
What did studies of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator find?
2Studies of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are mortality (5 studies) and sudden cardiac death (2).
Mortality
downin humans3no changein humans3HR 0.56–0.92
5 studies
Mortality
downin humans3no changein humans3HR 0.56–0.92
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator showed no clear effect on mortality in humans (class 1 FI <0.210 in patients with nonischemic HFrEF) (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.68–1.24).
“The effect of ICD implantation on all-cause death did not vary significantly by frailty class (class 1, HR 0.92 [95% CI, 0.68 to 1.24]; class 2 to 3, 0.93 [0.73 to 1.19]; Pinteraction = 0.99).”
Human trialclass 1 FI <0.210 in patients with nonischemic HFrEF
The American journal of cardiology
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator showed no clear effect on mortality in humans (high frailty burden (FI > median) in HFrEF) (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.68-1.09).
“but not among those with high frailty burden (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.68-1.09).”
Human trialhigh frailty burden (FI > median) in HFrEF23% womens
Frailty Status Modifies the Efficacy of ICD Therapy for Primary Prevention Among Patients With HF
JACC. Heart failure
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator decreases mortality in humans (low frailty burden (FI ≤ median) in HFrEF) (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40-0.78).
“ICD therapy was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality among participants with low frailty burden (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40-0.78)”
Human triallow frailty burden (FI ≤ median) in HFrEF23% womens
Frailty Status Modifies the Efficacy of ICD Therapy for Primary Prevention Among Patients With HF
JACC. Heart failure
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is linked with less mortality in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and aborted cardiac arrest.
“whereas acute myocardial infarction (STEMI/NSTEMI) and the presence of an ICD improved prognosis.”
Humansin patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and aborted cardiac arrestn = 2,259
Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator decreases mortality in selected subpopulation of patients with HFrEF.
“nonpharmacological approaches such as implantable cardiac defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, moderate physical activity and several other new treatment approaches have been shown to decrease mortality in selected subpopulation of patients with HFrEF”
Reviewin selected subpopulation of patients with HFrEF
Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: From Mechanisms to Winning Team of Management
Preprints.orgPreprint
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator showed no clear effect on mortality in several patient groups previously considered to have a high risk.
“Recent studies further demonstrated that a universal survival benefit due to an ICD is absent in several patient groups previously considered to have a high risk.”
Reviewin several patient groups previously considered to have a high risk
Sudden cardiac death in structural heart disease : Update on prevention
Herz
Sudden cardiac death
downin humans1downin silico1
2 studies
Sudden cardiac death
downin humans1downin silico1
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator prevents sudden cardiac death in silico (56% (48-62%)).
“a 56% (48-62%) efficacy for ICDs to reduce SCDs or similar events”
In silicofive-year horizon
Clinically relevant risk threshold for predicting sudden cardiac death
medRxivPreprint
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator protects against sudden cardiac death in humans.
“highlighting the concept of competing risks of non-arrhythmic death, which attenuates the potential benefit of ICDs with advancing age.”
Review
The role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the elderly
Progress in cardiovascular diseases
What is implantable cardioverter-defibrillator linked with?
2Studies link implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with 2 measures, most often infection (1 study) and survival (1).
Infection
upin humans1
1 study
Infection
upin humans1
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator raises the risk of infection in humans.
“The risk-benefit ratio is further complicated by a heightened risk of procedural and long-term complications, including device-related infections and pocket integrity issues such as skin erosion.”
Review
The role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the elderly
Progress in cardiovascular diseases
Survival
downin humans1
1 study
Survival
downin humans1
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is associated with survival in humans (primary prevention ICD implantation) (45.7% (95% CI 44.0%-47.4%)).
“Ten year survival was 45.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 44.0 %-47.4 %).”
Humansprimary prevention ICD implantation10-yearn = 3,399
Heliyon