Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: patient selection and implantation protocol.

The experience obtained from the clinical trials with the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator have reemphasized the need for a detailed pathophysiologic evaluation of the patient preoperatively. This evaluation requires careful documentation of the probable cause of the ventricular tachyarrhythmia and evaluation of other surgical needs of the patient, as well as consideration of the interactive effects of pacemakers and concurrent pharmacologic therapy postoperatively.