IMPROVE HF

Release date: September 1, 2010
Expiration date: September 1, 2011 

Sudden cardiac arrest is a significant cause of mortality, accounting for approximately 180,000 to 460,000 deaths each year in the United States and up to 8.5 million deaths annually worldwide. Furthermore, 5.8 million Americans are currently affected by heart failure (HF). Medical therapies help reduce the incidence of arrhythmias and control the clinical conditions that contribute to coronary disease; however, in both arrhythmias and HF, pharmacologic therapy has limited effectiveness and, as the conditions progress, electronic devices will usually be required to maintain cardiac functionality. Device-based cardiac rhythm management has established benefit for patients at high sudden cardiac arrest risk. This technology continues to evolve, with new clinical trials potentially expanding the target populations and advances in device capabilities providing greater patient monitoring potential. Healthcare professionals must be prepared for developments in device-based cardiac rhythm management that may influence current best practices./.../
n of Guideline-Recommended Care in Heart Failure: Two-Year Results From IMPROVE HF