Psychosocial Aspects of Patient‐Activated Atrial Defibrillation

Abstract

During long-term follow-up, patient-activated cardioversion using the atrial defibrillator was not associated with increased anxiety or depression. The procedure was well tolerated by patients and their partners, offering an acceptable treatment option for patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation.

Gender differences and quality of life in atrial fibrillation: The mediating role of depression

“…Their study [36] also suggests that HADS scores increase with age, although we did not find that association in our sample. Mean depression scores are consistent with previous work involving AF patients with patient-activated atrial defibrillators [37] and post-MI patients [19,38,39] but were somewhat lower than scores reported by patients with implantable defibrillators [40]. This latter finding is perhaps not surprising as AF patients without implanted defibrillators are not faced with the stressful experience of unpredictable defibrillator shocks.…”

Use of Atrial Defibrillators to Convert Atrial Fibrillation at Home:

“…In this sense, the study of Mitchell et al 12 reported in this issue of the Journal is a step in the right direction. To perform this study, the authors took advantage of the current generation of internal atrial defibrillators that enable device activation by patients using a remote activator.…”

Improving the acceptability of the atrial defibrillator for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation: the atrial defibrillator sedation assessment study (ADSAS)

“…Unfortunately, attempts to reduce the atrial DFT to levels below the discomfort threshold have so far been unsuccessful [22 -24]. Additionally, if patients have a failed initial attempt at cardioversion then recurrent shocks are perceived as significantly more unpleasant [6,9,10]. In the study of the Metrix atrial defibrillator, the investigators found that as the number of shocks increased, the use of sedation rose [25].…”