Prior research has demonstrated there is low utilization of primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), particularly among women and blacks. Sana Al-Khatib, MD, of Duke University and colleagues set out to determine the degree to which the overall use of ICD therapy and disparities in use have changed.
They studied 11,880 patients with a history of heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction of <35%, who were > 65 years old and found a significant increase in the use of ICD therapy in all sex and race groups. In addition, racial disparities were no longer present, although sex differences persisted.