Advances in dual chamber implantable cardioverter/defibrillators

We describe the past, present, and possible future of implantable dual chamber defibrillators and rake a quick look at the history of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to provide the background for this article. Four of the current generation dial chamber ICDs and the merits and issues surrounding these devices are compared. We then take a look at the future directions for dual chamber ICDs and discuss the research, technologies, algorithms, and issues that will drive the future of dual chamber ICDs. (J Interven Cardiol 1998;11:187-196).