A new study is showing that patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF) are more at risk of suffering from shocks caused by the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
The implantable cardioverter defibrillator is used as a means of preventing deaths caused by various heart conditions, including AF. AF is the most common form of sustained arrhythmia and can generally cause more complications in terms of heart failure. As to whether AF on its own can cause more deaths, that is still anybody’s guess; however, many studies have shown that AF can increase mortality rates in heart patients.
The PREPARE study was developed as a means of testing out the efficacy of giving heart patients and patients suffering from atrial arrhythmias OCD therapy. What the study found was that the AF patients who were receiving ICD therapy were suffering from more shocks than the other arrhythmia patients.
“Data regarding the effectiveness of ICD therapy in AF patients are limited since most ICD studies have been performed in patients in sinus rhythm,” the study notes. “A subanalysis of SCD-HeFT demonstrated a beneficial effect of ICD therapy only in patients with sinus rhythm. Thus, although ICD therapy has been shown to increase survival, only a few studies have investigated the role of AF on shocks and mortality in patients treated with an ICD.”
Researchers from the PREPARE study were trying to investigate if the ICD patients that had atrial arrhythmias were more likely to suffer from shocks from the device and it turns out that some of them did. Full results of the study can be found here.
Previously, Multaq was considered a good treatment for temporary AF patients, but the drug has since been linked to liver failure. The PALLAS study was halted after patients started dying while taking part in a clinical trial that was meant to test Multaq being used to treat permanent AF. It looks like they still haven’t a safe way to help treat AF patients yet. If you or a loved one have suffered from liver failure after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.