This article aims to give an overview over important articles in the field of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in 2012. Important publications concern analyses on therapy efficacy and safety of the subcutaneous ICD, gender-specific differences in the complication rate and prognosis after ICD implantation, the necessity of intraoperative testing of the defibrillation threshold and the impact of preventive measures to reduce ICD therapies on prognosis after device implantation. The relevance of the study findings for daily clinical practice is briefly discussed.