Economic implications and cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy

Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy reduces mortality among several high-risk cohorts, primarily those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure. Since the advent of these technologies, concerns regarding the high initial costs of device implantation have been considered a potential barrier to widespread adoption. Despite such concerns, the use of these devices for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death seems to be cost-effective when compared with national standards. Moreover, ICDs have been shown to be cost-effective in several health care systems and specialized populations such as those with high-risk long QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.