Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology
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In recent years several trials demonstrated the efficacy of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy for sudden cardiac death prevention and total mortality reduction in particular high-risk groups of patients. The aim of this review was to report the main epidemiological data and the most important clinical characteristics of patients enrolled in the Italian ICD Registry in the years 2001-2003. ⋯ The ICD implantation rate in Italy increased significantly in the period 2001-2003, similarly to the trend in the other western countries and following the publication of controlled studies in the field of primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. The Italian ICD Registry showed during the last 3 years an important increase in prophylactic ICD utilization. A sophisticated ICD, including dual-chamber pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy, was chosen in a high percentage of patients.