General measures
- Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on existing disease.
Conventional non-surgical therapy methods
- Defibrillation (“shock generator”) – as far as possible, restoration of normal heart activity by strong electric shocks. The device used is called a defibrillator.
- ICD implantation (pacemaker; implant promptly), if necessary also a subcutaneous (“under the skin“) implantable defibrillator (S-ICD). This requires in contrast to the conventional ICD systems no transvenous (“through the vein“) to the heart leading and electrode cables fixed to the heart wall.Note: The S-ICD is not considered for patients who are either antitachycardia or antibradycardia stimulation or require cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
- If applicable, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) vest. Indications:
- Patients who have only a passively increased risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
- Patients without an ICD who are on the waiting list for a heart transplant (“bridge to transplant”).
- Patients in whom after explantation (“Auspflanzung”) of an ICD, for example, because of infection, an immediate ICD reimplantation is not possible (“bridge to transvenous implant”).
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations are advised:
- Flu vaccination
- Pneumococcal vaccination
Regular checkups
- Regular medical checkups
Psychotherapy
- If necessary, psychotherapy for anxiety disorders resulting from the disease.
