Prospective Assessment of Risk Factors for Appropriate ICD Intervention in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Rationale: Implantation of an ICD as primary prevention therapy is indicated according to the current guidelines based on the low LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction) as it was shown to significantly reduce mortality. Although of proven efficacy, ICD therapy is associated with survival benefit in only a small fraction of patients. It is estimated that 18 patients would have to receive an ICD to save one life, resulting in a huge burden on national health systems. Moreover, only about one quarter of all guideline eligible primary prevention ICD patients receive appropriate shocks. The above considerations support the need for an effective risk-stratification method to identify patients that benefit most (or least) from this therapy. Evaluation of ventricular anatomy and function by imaging techniques has become more important since this provides information on the substrate (myocardial scar) and trigger of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Besides accurate estimation of left and right ventricular volumes and functions, Late Gadolinium Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (LGE-CMR) imaging has a very high sensitivity to detect myocardial scar. Quantification of scar characteristics by cardiac MRI might be useful for the prediction of future arrhythmic events in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However evidence is conflicting and published papers are hampered by limited patient numbers and can only be regarded in the light of generating hypothesis. The PARCADIA clinical investigation will explore the potential of cardiac MRI as a predictor for appropriate ICD intervention in a multicenter setting.

PARCADIA is a prospective non-randomized non-interventional multi-center clinical investigation in Europe. Patients with depressed LV (Left Ventricular) function assessed on local standards, of ischemic (at least 40 days post-MI (myocardial infarction) or 3 months post revascularization) origin and on chronic optimal medical therapy will be selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, implanted with an ICD after executing baseline investigations and prospectively followed up for minimal 24 months and until the termination of the clinical investigation

General objective: analysis of baseline risk factors to identify predictors for appropriate ICD intervention in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy receiving an ICD for primary prevention (MADIT II population).

The primary objective of the clinical investigation is to determine whether there is a relationship between appropriate ICD intervention (shock or ATP) and the Relative Infarct Transmurality (RIT) obtained from Late Gadolinium Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (LGE-CMR) imaging in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, receiving an ICD for primary prevention.

Methodology: Screening: (within 6 months before enrolment) patients with LV depressed function due to Ischemic Cardiomyopathy with an indication for primary prevention ICD implantation according to ESC (European Society of Cardiology) guidelines or local standards will be screened within 6 months before enrolment.