Quality of life in implanted cardioverter defibrillator recipients: The impact of a device shock

Background

The success of the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in prolonging the life of patients with arrhythmia suggests a need to assess quality of life (QOL), especially in those who receive an ICD shock.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare QOL in a group who received an ICD shock with a group who did not receive an ICD shock during the first year.

Methods

Fifty-nine subjects, 42 men and 17 women with a mean age 63 years, completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, Ferrans and Powers QOL Index, Profile of Mood States at implantation and 1 year, and the Brodsky ICD Questionnaire at 1 year.

Results

Thirty-seven percent received an ICD shock. Those in the shock group had worse mental health (P ≤ .04) and vitality scores (P ≤ .03) on the Short Form-36, increased anxiety (P ≤ .015), fatigue (P ≤ .005), and psychologic distress (P ≤ .02), as measured by Profile of Mood States, compared with the no shock group at 1 year.

Conclusions

Shocked ICD recipients demonstrate mental health concerns.