In patients with standard ICD indications who also have CHF, LV dysfunction, and an intraventricular conduction delay, ICD therapy is less common with BV pacing. The mechanism for this improvement is unclear but may be related to hemodynamic improvement in CHF. Although BV pacing does not obviate the need for an ICD, it does diminish the need for appropriate tachyarrhythmia therapy in selected patients.

Subcutaneous defibrillation using different electrode combinations with shock energies less than 80 J terminated all induced VFs. An automatic SICD proved effective in detecting and activating shock delivery in all cases.