When life is severely threatened by the recurrence of abnormal heart rhythms that have caused cardiac arrest or recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia, the auto¬matic implantable cardioverter defibrillator can play a role in the health of selected patients. Recent advances in this area allow a ray of hope. Dr. Saksena in New Jersey has introduced a nonsurgical technique for implanting the automatic cardioverter defibrillator. Clinical trials have shown this to be highly successful.