Dear Editor:

It would be tragic if a patient with a serious heart rhythm disorder decided not to receive a potentially lifesaving implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after reading your article, “10 Overused Tests and Treatments.” Studies of ICDs show they are 99 percent effective in detecting and stopping deadly heart rhythm disorders such as sudden cardiac arrest, which kills more than 250,000 people every year in the United States alone. In fact, clinical trials have found the devices to be the most successful therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death in certain groups of high-risk patients.

The decision to implant an ICD is based on well-designed scientific trials involving thousands of patients. One key trial was conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health. In addition, the National ICD Registry was created to provide valuable feedback to physicians and to improve patient care. The objective is to monitor outcomes and improve selection of patients who benefit from ICD therapy.

The real tragedy is that many people who meet the evidence-based criteria and could benefit from these devices do not receive them, resulting in thousands of deaths each year. You mislead your readers, especially heart patients, by suggesting that these devices are not needed or that physicians are not following evidence-based guidelines. Patients should make an informed decision about this lifesaving technology based on discussions with their physician.

For more information about sudden cardiac arrest and possible lifesaving treatments, please visit www.stopcardiacarrest.org and www.HRSonline.org.

Sincerely,

Bruce D. Lindsay, MD, FHRS
President, Heart Rhythm Society

Questions about the Consumer Reports article? Contact Ann-Marie White, Director of Communications and Public Relations at (202) 464-3476 or awhite@hrsonline.org.