The Entirely Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator. Initial Clinical Experience in a Large Dutch Cohort

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD). Background: A new entirely S-ICD has been introduced, that does not require lead placement in or on the heart. The authors report the largest multicenter experience to date with the S-ICD with a minimum of 1-year follow-up in the first 118 Dutch patients who were implanted with this device. Methods: Patients were selected if they had a class I or IIa indication for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. All consecutive patients from 4 high-volume centers in the Netherlands with an S-ICD implanted between December 2008 and April 2011 were included. Results: A total of 118 patients (75% males, mean age 50 years) received the S-ICD. After 18 months of follow-up, 8 patients experienced 4