What benefit does ICD implantation provide for patients who have previously experienced cardiac arrest?

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver electrical shocks to restore a normal rhythm in patients who may experience life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. One of the most significant benefits of ICD implantation is the substantial reduction in mortality rates among patients who have experienced a cardiac arrest.

Patients who have had a prior cardiac arrest are at a higher risk for recurrent life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The device acts as a safeguard, detecting these dangerous rhythms and intervening immediately. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that the use of ICDs in at-risk populations is associated with a meaningful decrease in overall mortality, particularly due to the prevention of sudden cardiac death.

In contrast, other options do not capture the primary advantage of ICD therapy after a cardiac arrest. For instance, while improvement in functional class may occur for some patients, it is not the main goal of ICD implantation, and hence, it does not reflect the life-saving potential of the device. Similarly, stating that there is no impact on long-term survival contradicts established evidence supporting the mortality benefit of ICDs. Lastly, asserting that there is an increased risk of arrhythmias misunderstands the role