Study: Women, blacks less likely to get heart devices

October 4, 2007

Clinical trials have shown that implantable cardioverter defibrillators can save people at risk for sudden cardiac death. The leading organizations of doctors who treat such patients have set guidelines for their use, and Medicare and health plans cover most of their cost.

Yet women are far less likely to receive the devices than men, and black patients overall are less likely to receive them than white patients, two studies report Wednesday. (USA Today)