Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock prevention does not reduce mortality: A systemic review

BACKGROUND: 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. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to estimate …