2006/003 NICE guidance set to increase the number of patients receiving life-saving implantable-cardioverter defibrillators

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (25 January 2006) launched guidance on the use of implantable-cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) - potentially life-saving devices for people at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) as a result of cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). The guidance, which updates NICE's original guidance published in 2000, is set to increase the number of people who might benefit from an ICD.