Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillators for the Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetically determined myocardial disease with a diverse natural history. 1 – 7 Since a subgroup of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at high risk for sudden death, there has been considerable interest in risk stratification 1 , 3 , 8 – 11 and appropriate preventive measures. 3 , 11 , 12 There are few data supporting the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with amiodarone in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 13 and the frequent adverse consequences of long-term use of this drug limit its application for the prevention of sudden death in young patients with this disease. The implantable cardioverter–defibrillator 14 is widely accepted as a definitive treatment for . . .