Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in postinfarct patients and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

In patients with structural heart disease and sustained symptomatic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation without reversible cause, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has become the therapy of first choice. Besides the ,,MADIT indication", however, arrhythmia risk stratification with regard to prophylactic ICD implantation is an unsolved problem. This overview summarizes the currently very limited clinical value of potential risk predictors for sudden cardiac death in postinfarct patients and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.