Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy are typically caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias, or abnormal rapid heart rhythms that originate in the ventricles. These arrhythmias can be caused by scar tissue or damage to the heart muscle from previous heart attacks.
Treatment for VF and SCD includes defibrillation, which is an electrical shock delivered to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. Medications such as beta blockers and amiodarone can also be used to prevent or treat these arrhythmias.
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that can be implanted under the skin, usually in the chest area, to detect and treat life-threatening arrhythmias. ICDs are used to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients who are at high risk for VF and SCD due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. When the device detects a dangerous arrhythmia, it delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.