What device improves survival in patients with an ejection fraction less than 35% and sustained ventricular tachycardia?

The device that has been shown to improve survival in patients with an ejection fraction of less than 35% and sustained ventricular tachycardia is the automatic cardiac defibrillator. This device is specifically designed to detect life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). When either of these arrhythmias is detected, the defibrillator can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Patients with a low ejection fraction are at a higher risk for sudden cardiac death due to these dangerous arrhythmias, making the presence of an automatic defibrillator critical for improving outcomes. Clinical guidelines support the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in patients who fit this profile, highlighting their role in secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

In contrast, while cardiac resynchronization therapy is beneficial for certain heart failure patients to improve heart function and symptoms, it does not directly address the acute life-threatening arrhythmias associated with low ejection fraction. Similarly, coronary artery bypass grafting is primarily aimed at improving blood flow in coronary artery disease and does not specifically target ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular assist devices are used to support heart function