An overview of the fifth-generation implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

It has been established that treatment with an implantable cardioverter is effective for life-threatening arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Although most third and fourth-generation implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) models are effective for the treatment of VT and VF, they often misinterpret supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and the incidence of inappropriate therapy delivered is as high as 20 to 40%. To solve this clinical problem, the dual-chamber ICD was developed. According to the current reports on a study of the main fifth-generation ICD models that have been clinically used, 86 to 100% sensitivity regarding discrimination was obtained. In addition, the sensitivity for delivering appropriate therapy for VT was 97 to 100%. Since the indications for ICD therapy are being expanded, additional improvement of the device and adequate patient selection are recommended.