There is growing evidence that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are superior to amiodarone, the best medical therapy currently available, in the treatment of patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Further support for this was provided by the results of the Canadian Implantable Defibrillator Study (CIDS) and the Cardiac Arrest Study Hamburg (CASH), which were presented at the 47th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology [Atlanta, US; March 1998].