On the necessity of the invasive predischarge test after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator.

The necessity of routine invasive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) testing before hospital discharge was analyzed in 268 patients. In 98% of the patients, invasive ICD testing was not necessary if a preimplant electrophysiologic test was performed; most of the observed problems can be solved by noninvasive control.