Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators and Quality of Life

In a primary-prevention trial, no adverse quality-of-life effects were seen in ICD recipients during 30 months of follow-up.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators extend survival in patients who have ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathies but have never had arrhythmic events. Might worries about living with an ICD and the associated shocks mitigate the mortality benefit? Investigators for the industry-supported Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) evaluated this concern, which is particularly important in primary prevention.

SCD-HeFT involved 2521 adults with ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%, and class II or III heart failure. Participants were randomized to receive best medical therapy plus amiodarone, best medical therapy plus an amiodarone placebo, or best medical therapy plus an ICD. Quality of life…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators and Quality of Life

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Reviewing Author