METHODS AND RESULTS:
Prospective cohort with historical controls. HF patients with a primary-prevention indication for a defibrillator were randomized to receive one of two new programming configurations (high-rate or delayed therapies). A historical cohort of patients with conventional programming was analyzed for comparison. The primary endpoint was any therapy [shock or anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP)] delivered. Secondary endpoints were appropriate shocks, appropriate ATP, appropriate therapies, inappropriate shocks, syncope and death. 89 patients were assigned for new programming group [high rate (n=47) or delayed therapy (n=42)]. They were compared with 94 historical patients with conventional programming. During a mean follow-up of 20±7 months, the new programming was associated with a reduction of any therapy (HR = 0.265, 95% CI 0.121-0.577, p=0.001), even after adjustment. Aproppriate ATP and any shock were also reduced. Syncope did not occur. Sudden, cardiovascular and all-cause deaths were not different between the groups. In the new programming group, neither high-rate nor delayed programming were better than the other.
CONCLUSIONS: In our study, programming tachycardia zones homogeneously across all manufacturers was possible and resulted in a lower rate of therapies, shocks and appropriate ATP.
Keywords: defibrillator; primary prevention; programming; shocks; anti-tachycardia pacing; avoidable shocks.