Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Mortality is increased among implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients who receive shocks; however, whether shocks cause this increase or are simply a marker of risk is unknown. Antiarrhythmic medications, catheter ablation, and enhanced ICD programming all may reduce ICD shocks, but whether shock reduction decreases mortality is unknown. ⋯ There is no compelling evidence that existing interventions that reduce ICD shocks significantly improve survival.