ISSN: 1524-4539
Copyright © 2008 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online
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Circulation is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCUALTIONAHA.108.189741
2008;117;2820-2840; originally published online May 15, 2008; Circulation
Sweeney
O.Page, Mark H. Schoenfeld, Michael J. Silka, Lynne Warner Stevenson and Michael
Stephen C. Hammill, David L. Hayes, Mark A. Hlatky, L. Kristin Newby, Richard L.
Roger A. Freedman, Leonard S. Gettes, A. Marc Gillinov, Gabriel Gregoratos,
Andrew E. Epstein, John P. DiMarco, Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, N.A. Mark Estes, III,
of Thoracic Surgeons
Collaboration With the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society
Developed inImplantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices):
(Writing Committee to Revise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for
Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines
Abnormalities: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of
ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/117/21/2820
located on the World Wide Web at:
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Practice Guideline: Executive SummaryCC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy
of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: Executive Summary
A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart
Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to
evise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of
Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices)
Developed in Collaboration With the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of
Thoracic Surgeons
WRITING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Andrew E. Epstein, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS, Chair*;
John P. DiMarco, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*;
enneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*; N. A. Mark Estes III, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS;
Roger A. Freedman, MD, FACC, FHRS*; Leonard S. Gettes, MD, FACC, FAHA;
A. Marc Gillinov, MD, FACC, FAHA*†; Gabriel Gregoratos, MD, FACC, FAHA;
Stephen C. Hammill, MD, FACC, FHRS; David L. Hayes, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*;
Mark A. Hlatky, MD, FACC, FAHA; L. Kristin Newby, MD, FACC, FAHA;
Richard L. Page, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS; Mark H. Schoenfeld, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS;
Michael J. Silka, MD, FACC; Lynne Warner Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHA‡;
Michael O. Sweeney, MD, FACC*
ACC/AHA TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair; Alice K. Jacobs, MD, FACC, FAHA, Vice-Chair;
Cynthia D. Adams, RN, PhD, FAHA§; Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA§;
Christopher E. Buller, MD, FACC; Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA; Steven M. Ettinger, MD, FACC;
David P. Faxon, MD, FACC, FAHA§; Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA§;
Loren F. Hiratzka, MD, FACC, FAHA§; Sharon A. Hunt, MD, FACC, FAHA§;
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, FACC, FAHA; Frederick G. Kushner, MD, FACC, FAHA;
Bruce W. Lytle, MD, FACC, FAHA; Rick A. Nishimura, MD, FACC, FAHA;
Joseph P. Ornato, MD, FACC, FAHA§; Richard L. Page, MD, FACC, FAHA;
Barbara Riegel, DNSc, RN, FAHA§; Lynn G. Tarkington, RN; Clyde W. Yancy, MD, FACC, FAHA
Recused from voting on guideline recommendations (see Section 1.2, “Document Review and Approval,” for more detail).
American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons official representative.
Heart Failure Society of America official representative.
Former Task Force member during this writing effort.
his document was approved by the American College of Cardiology Foundation Board of Trustees, the American Heart Association Science Advisory and
rdinating Committee, and the Heart Rhythm Society Board of Trustees in February 2008.
he American College of Cardiology Foundation, American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society request that this document be cited as follows: Epstein AE,
arco JP, Ellenbogen KA, Estes NAM III, Freedman RA, Gettes LS, Gillinov AM, Gregoratos G, Hammill SC, Hayes DL, Hlatky MA, Newby LK, Page RL,
oenfeld MH, Silka MJ, Stevenson LW, Sweeney MO. ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities: executive
mary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the
C/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices). Circulation. 2008;117:2820–2840.
his article has been copublished in the May 27, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and the June 2008 issue of Heart Rhythm.
opies: This document is available on the World Wide Web sites of the American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org), the American Heart Association
.americanheart.org), and the Heart Rhythm Society (www.hrsonline.org). A copy of the statement is also available at http://www.americanheart.org/
senter.jhtml?identifier�3003999 by selecting either the “topic list” link or the “chronological list” link. To purchase additional reprints, call 843-216-2533 or e-mail
e.ramsay@wolterskluwer.com.
ermissions: Multiple copies, modification, alteration, enhancement, and/or distribution of this document are not permitted without the express permission of the
erican Heart Association. Instructions for obtaining permission are located at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier�4431. A link to the
Practice Guideline: Executive Summary
rmission Request Form” appears on the right side of the page.
Circulation. 2008;117:2820-2840.)
2008 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, Inc, and the Heart Rhythm Society.
irculation is available at http://circ.ahajournals.org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCUALTIONAHA.108.189741
2820
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Epstein et al ACC/AHA/HRS Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy: Executive Summary 2821
TABLE OF CONTENTS
amble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2821
. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2822
1.1. Organization of Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2822
1.2. Document Review and Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2822
1.3. Methodology and Evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2822
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Sinus Node
Dysfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2824
. Recommendations for Acquired Atrioventricular Block
in Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2825
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Chronic
Bifascicular Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2827
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing After the
Acute Phase of Myocardial Infarction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2828
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in
Hypersensitive Carotid Sinus Syndrome and Neurocar-
diogenic Syncope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2828
. Recommendations for Pacing After Cardiac
Transplantation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2828
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacemakers That
Automatically Detect and Pace to Terminate
Tachycardias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2828
. Recommendations for Pacing to Prevent
Tachycardia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2829
. Recommendation for Pacing to Prevent Atrial
Fibrillation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2829
. Recommendations for Cardiac Resynchronization
Therapy in Patients With Severe Systolic Heart
Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2829
. Recommendations for Pacing in Patients With
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2829
. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Children,
Adolescents, and Patients With Congenital Heart
Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2830
. Recommendations for Implantable Cardioverter-
Defibrillators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2830
. Recommendations for Implantable Cardioverter-
Defibrillators in Pediatric Patients and Patients With
Congenital Heart Disease. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2832
ferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2832
pendix 1. Author Relationships With Industry . . . . . . .2836
pendix 2. Peer Reviewer Relationships With
ustry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2838
pendix 3. Abbreviations List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2840
Preamble
is important that the medical profession play a significant
e in critically evaluating the use of diagnostic procedures
d therapies as they are introduced and tested in the
tection, management, or prevention of disease states. Rig-
us and expert analysis of the available data documenting
solute and relative benefits and risks of those procedures
d therapies can produce helpful guidelines that improve the
ectiveness of care, optimize patient outcomes, and favor-
av
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ly affect the overall cost of care by focusing resources on
most effective strategies.
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF)
d the American Heart Association (AHA) have jointly
gaged in the production of such guidelines in the area of
diovascular disease since 1980. The American College of
rdiology (ACC)/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines,
ose charge is to develop, update, or revise practice
idelines for important cardiovascular diseases and proce-
res, directs this effort. Writing committees are charged with
task of performing an assessment of the evidence and
ing as an independent group of authors to develop, update,
revise written recommendations for clinical practice.
Experts in the subject under consideration have been
ected from both organizations to examine subject-specific
ta and write guidelines. The process includes additional
resentatives from other medical practitioner and specialty
ups when appropriate. Writing committees are specifically
arged to perform a formal literature review, weigh the
ength of evidence for or against a particular treatment or
cedure, and include estimates of expected health outcomes
ere data exist. Patient-specific modifiers and comorbidities
d issues of patient preference that may influence the choice
particular tests or therapies are considered, as well as
quency of follow-up and cost-effectiveness. When avail-
le, information from studies on cost will be considered;
wever, review of data on efficacy and clinical outcomes
ll constitute the primary basis for preparing recommenda-
ns in these guidelines.
The ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines makes
ery effort to avoid any actual, potential, or perceived
nflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an industry
ationship or personal interest of the writing committee.
ecifically, all members of the writing committee, as well as
er reviewers of the document, were asked to provide
closure statements of all such relationships that may be
rceived as real or potential conflicts of interest. Writing
mmittee members are also strongly encouraged to declare a
vious relationship with industry that may be perceived as
evant to guideline development. If a writing committee
mber develops a new relationship with industry during his
her tenure, he or she is required to notify guideline staff in
iting. The continued participation of the writing committee
mber will be reviewed. These statements are reviewed by
parent task force, reported orally to all members of the
iting committee at each meeting, and updated and reviewed
the writing committee as changes occur. Please refer to the
thodology manual for ACC/AHA guideline writing com-
ttees for further description of the relationships with
ustry policy.1 See Appendix 1 for author relationships
th industry and Appendix 2 for peer reviewer relationships
th industry that are pertinent to this guideline.
These practice guidelines are intended to assist health care
viders in clinical decision making by describing a range of
nerally acceptable approaches for the diagnosis, manage-
nt, and prevention of specific diseases or conditions.
inical decision making should consider the quality and
ailability of expertise in the area where care is provided.
ese guidelines attempt to define practices that meet the
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2822 Circulation May 27, 2008
eds of most patients in most circumstances. These guide-
e recommendations reflect a consensus of expert opinion
er a thorough review of the available current scientific
idence and are intended to improve patient care.
Patient adherence to prescribed and agreed upon medical
imens and lifestyles is an important aspect of treatment.
scribed courses of treatment in accordance with these
ommendations will only be effective if they are followed.
cause lack of patient understanding and adherence may
versely affect treatment outcomes, physicians and other
alth care providers should make every effort to engage the
tient in active participation with prescribed medical regi-
ns and lifestyles.
If these guidelines are used as the basis for regulatory or payer
isions, the ultimate goal is quality of care and serving the
ient’s best interests. The ultimate judgment regarding care of
articular patient must be made by the health care provider and
patient in light of all of the circumstances presented by that
ient. There are circumstances in which deviations from these
idelines are appropriate.
The guidelines will be reviewed annually by the ACC/
A Task Force on Practice Guidelines and will be consid-
d current unless they are updated, revised, or sunsetted and
thdrawn from distribution. The executive summary and
ommendations are published in the May 27, 2008, issue of
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 27,
08, issue of Circulation, and the June 2008 issue of Heart
ythm. The full-text guidelines are e-published in the same
ue of the journals noted above, as well as posted on the
C (www.acc.org), AHA (http://my.americanheart.org),
d Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) (www.hrsonline.org) Web
es. Copies of the full-text and the executive summary are
ailable from each organization.
Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, FACC, FAHA
Chair, ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines
1. Introduction
. Organization of Committee
is revision of the “ACC/AHA/NASPE Guidelines for
plantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia
vices” updates the previous versions published in 1984,
91, 1998, and 2002. Revision of the statement was deemed
cessary for multiple reasons: 1) Major studies have been
orted that have advanced our knowledge of the natural
tory of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias, which
y be treated optimally with device therapy; 2) there have
en tremendous changes in the management of heart failure
t involve both drug and device therapy; and 3) major
vances in the technology of devices to treat, delay, and
en prevent morbidity and mortality from bradyarrhythmias,
hyarrhythmias, and heart failure have occurred.
The committee to revise the “ACC/AHA/NASPE Guide-
es for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiar-
thmia Devices” was composed of physicians who are
perts in the areas of device therapy and follow-up and
ior clinicians skilled in cardiovascular care, internal med-
ne, cardiovascular surgery, ethics, and socioeconomics.
e committee included representatives of the American
co
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sociation for Thoracic Surgery, Heart Failure Society of
erica, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
. Document Review and Approval
e document was reviewed by 2 official reviewers nomi-
ted by each of the ACC, AHA, and HRS and by 11
ditional peer reviewers. Of the total 17 peer reviewers, 10
d no significant relevant relationships with industry. In
dition, this document has been reviewed and approved by
governing bodies of the ACC, AHA, and HRS, which
lude 19 ACC Board of Trustees members (none of whom
d any significant relevant relationships with industry), 15
A Science Advisory Coordinating Committee members
ne of whom had any significant relevant relationships with
ustry), and 14 HRS Board of Trustees members (6 of
om had no significant relevant relationships with industry).
l guideline recommendations underwent a formal, blinded
iting committee vote. Writing committee members were
uired to recuse themselves if they had a significant
evant relationship with industry. The guideline recommen-
tions were unanimously approved by all members of the
iting committee who were eligible to vote.
. Methodology and Evidence
e recommendations listed in this document are, whenever
ssible, evidence based. An extensive literature survey was
nducted and limited to studies, reviews, and other evidence
nducted in human subjects and published in English.
ditionally, the committee reviewed documents related to
subject matter previously published by the ACC, AHA,
d HRS. References selected and published in this document
representative and not all-inclusive.
The committee reviewed and ranked evidence support-
current recommendations, with the weight of evidence
ked as Level A if the data were derived from multiple
domized clinical trials that involved a large number of
ividuals. The committee ranked available evidence as
vel B when data were derived either from a limited
mber of trials that involved a comparatively small
mber of patients or from well-designed data analyses of
nrandomized studies or observational data registries.
idence was ranked as Level C when the consensus of
perts was the primary source of the recommendation. In
narrative portions of these guidelines, evidence is
nerally presented in chronological order of development.
dies are identified as observational, randomized, pro-
ctive, or retrospective. The committee emphasizes that
certain conditions for which no other therapy is
ailable, the indications for device therapy are based on
pert consensus and years of clinical experience and are thus
ll supported, even though the evidence was ranked as
vel C. An analog