abstract
- The implantable defibrillator (ICD) effectively palliates arrhythmogenic events and thereby reduces total mortality in patients after a first episode of cardiac arrest. At present, four randomized controlled trials have addressed the issue of primary prevention by the ICD in patients with coronary artery disease and two small studies are available dealing with patients suffering from nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Importantly, none of the randomized studies in patients suffering from coronary artery disease has examined the potential role of the ICD in patients early after myocardial infarction. Within the next 12 months, important additional data is expected from several studies which have completed patient enrollment and follow-up. All studies are prospective randomized trials investigating the effects of ICD compared to optimal medical therapy. This paper summarizes the rationale, design and specific contributions of the Defibrillator in Myocardial infarction trial (DINAMIT) in comparison to other relevant studies on primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.