The American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) have jointly released updated cardiac device-based therapy guidelines. The ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities are viewed as the first guidelines that combine indications for all cardiac implantable electronic devices. They were released at Heart Rhythm 2008, the Heart Rhythm Society's 29th Annual Scientific Sessions.
The updated guidelines are a product of expert analysis of recent studies that have advanced knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias as well as major advances in device technology. These take a patient-centered approach and are projected to help physicians determine the most effective treatment options available for each individual patient.
The updated guidelines offer healthcare providers comprehensive evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate use of cardiac devices. It is claimed to be the first document to comprehensively address device-based therapy indications for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and conditions including heart failure, congenital heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. The guidelines also address treatment for genetic disorders such as catecholaminergic polymorphic VT, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and short QT syndrome.
The guidelines will be published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association; and the HeartRhythm Journal. Full text of the guidelines will be posted on websites of the ACC (http://www.acc.org), AHA (http://www.americanheart.org) and HRS (http://www.HRSonline.org).
