MADIT II, the Multi-center Autonomic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II stopped early for mortality reduction, has ICD therapy earned its evidence-based credentials?

In a press conference on Nov. 20, 2001 it was announced that the Multi-center Autonomic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT II) was stopped early because of a 30% reduction in mortality in patients randomised to receive an implantable defibrillator device. The 4 year multi-centre trial of 1200 patients was terminated early after an independent board observed that the post-MI patients with impaired left ventricular function receiving the implantable defibrillator had improved survival rates compared to those receiving conventional treatment. The MADIT II trial's aim was to test whether an AICD will reduce mortality in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction with no arrhythmia entry criteria. The intention was to recruit 1200 patients aged 21-85 years with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF)