Device Testing and Programming at Implantation

The Defibrillation Safety Margin of Patients Receiving ICDs: A Matter of Definition

“…The definition of the safety margin to ensure successful defibrillation by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock is often taken for granted, and historically it has generally been considered that a programmed value of 10 J above the defibrillation threshold (DFT) is a useful rule of thumb accepted clinically. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] However, a number of other definitions have been proposed for the defibrillation "safety margin" of ICDs. This has created confusion in the understanding and teaching of the basic concepts of ICD therapy and has highlighted the need for standardized terminology.…”