Quality of life in patients with a subcutaneous vs. transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Abstract

Background:The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) are well-accepted life-saving devices for treating potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia, but little is known about quality of life (QoL) in patients with S-ICD and ICD.Aims: Our study aimed to compare QoL in patients with S-ICD and ICD. Methods: All consecutive patients who had S-ICD implanted between October 2015 and September 2021 were included in the study. A cohort of transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) patients was matched to S-ICD subjects by sex, age, indications for the device, and type of prevention. All patients were requested to fulfill two standardized questionnaires to assess QoL: 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) 6 months after device implantation.Results: Patients with S-ICD (n = 49) and TV-ICD (n = 49) did not differ regarding baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences between S-ICD and TV-ICD subgroup, both for mental and physical QoL assessed in SF-36 and MLHFQ (all P = NS). The median MLHFQ total score was 24 (9-41) for S-ICD and 28 (14-43) for TV-ICD (P = 0.83). The median total score for the SF-36 questionnaire was 62.5 (29-86) vs. 59 (38-77) for S-ICD and TV-ICD, respectively (P = 0.78).Conclusions: Quality of life after device implantation does not differ significantly between the groups of patients with subcutaneous and conventional implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Transvenous versus subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators in young cardiac arrest survivors

“…26,27 There is no significant difference in physical or mental quality of life between patients receiving a S-ICD compared to those receiving a TV-ICD. 26,28 Disease-specific indications Those patients with substrate for re-entry (HOCM and ARVC) are best treated with a TV-ICD because of the capacity for ATP. In those patients where VT is not a major feature (e.g.…”

“…Patients receiving an ICD may experience improvement in physical and mental quality of life over time; however, quality of life can worsen after a defibrillator shock (appropriate or inappropriate) 26,27 . There is no significant difference in physical or mental quality of life between patients receiving a S‐ICD compared to those receiving a TV‐ICD 26,28 …”

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia using combined endocardial techniques in patients with structural heart disease improves procedural effectiveness and reduces arrhythmia episodes

“…Treatment of VT is based on pharmacotherapy and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). RFCA is the most effective method of VT treatment, which reduces the number of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) high-energy shocks and improves QoL and patient outcomes after a VT storm [3][4][5][6].…”