by Dr. Mercola

In recent years, over 20 percent of patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD, a device that regulates heartbeats) were not actually good candidates for the device.

Researchers looked at more than 111,000 patients who received ICD implants. More than 25,000 did not meet evidence-based criteria for receiving the device — and the risk of dying in the hospital is significantly higher for patients who receive an ICD but do not meet the criteria.

According to CNN:

“… ICDs often are recommended as a primary prevention tactic for patients who are at high risk for a cardiac arrest or life-threatening arrhythmia, but who have not yet suffered from these symptoms.  However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) … has issued a ‘decision memo’ stating that only people having certain serious heart conditions or cardiac histories are suitable candidates for ICDs.”

Sources:
CNN January 5, 2011