<qa>  What is the risk of SCD in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy?Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy NICM comprises almost one half of the congestive heart failure CHF population NICM portends an increased risk for hospitalizations due to CHF as well as death. This population is also at high risk for the occurrence of tachyarrhythmias and has a high incidence of sudden cardiac death SCD. The risk of SCD can be lowered by the placement of an intercardioverter defibrillator ICD. The implantation of an ICD significantly reduces the risk of SCD in patients with NICM and a left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF of 35 percent or less. However the implantation of an ICD has short term as well as long term risk associated with it. Many patients receive an ICD who never go on to have appropriate therapy. Current American College of CardiologyAmerican Heart Association ACCAHA guidelines state that ICD therapy is recommended for primary prevention of SCD to reduce total mortality in selected patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy DCM or ischemic heart disease at least 40 days post-myocardial infarctionMI with LVEF of 35 or less and New York Heart Association NYHA class II or III symptoms on chronic guideline-directed medical therapyGDMT, who have reasonable expectation of meaningful survival for more than 1 year. There is a need for new criteria for ICD placement in patients with NICM that are more sensitive and specific than current guidelines. 