Individuals with diabetes have a high incidence of heart problems, including sudden cardiac death. A study led by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) will determine if a subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD) increases survival in this growing group of patients.
The global clinical trial will enroll individuals with diabetes who are 65 years and older, have had a heart attack and have slightly reduced heart function, as measured by the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body. Study leader Valentina Kutyifa, M.D., Ph.D., research assistant professor of Cardiology at URMC's Heart Research Follow-up Program says all of these factors greatly increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, yet these patients are not considered candidates for defibrillators under existing medical guidelines.
"We think that this is an untouched population of patients who could really benefit from the device," said Arthur J. Moss, M.D., the Bradford C. Berk. M.D., Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Cardiology at URMC who is one of the world's foremost experts on the use of defibrillators.