Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Women

Abstract

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices have been prescribed for patients with heart failure for several decades. Factors leading to increased usage include significant enhancements in technology and availability of multiple randomized clinical trials demonstrating their benefit with improved implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Despite these advances, gaps still exist in the utilization and referral of these devices, particularly among women. This article reviews the literature on these devices with a focus on gender differences and proposes reasons for why they exist.

Keywords: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT); Gender differences; Heart failure; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).