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Prior studies have shown that women are less likely than men to receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs; JW Cardiol Oct 3 2007). To evaluate sex differences in outcomes after ICD placement, researchers prospectively studied 6021 patients in Ontario, Canada, who were referred to an electrophysiologist for possible ICD placement from 2007 to 2010.
Implantation rates did not differ significantly by sex. Major early complications (≤45 days after device placement) occurred significantly more often among women than men (5.4% vs. 3.3%). The most common early complication for women was the need for lead replacement; for men, it was lead repositioning. During 1 year of follow-up, the rate of major complications was significantly higher …