Frequency, predictors and prognostic impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks in a primary prevention population with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Aims The role of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in primary prevention real-world population is debated. We sought to evaluate the incidence, predictors and prognostic impact of ICD shocks in consecutive heart failure patients implanted for primary prevention at our tertiary institution. Methods and results We retrospectively selected a sample of 497 patients (mean age 64.8 years, 82.1% men, average left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF, 27.1%). At long-term follow-up (median time 70.4 months), total mortality was 40.8%, and 16.5% of patients had received at least one appropriate shock (3.12%/year). Inappropriate shock [odds ratio (OR) 1.93, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08–3.47; P = 0.027] and length of follow-up (1 year, OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01; P = 0.0031) were associated with the occurrence of appropriate shock, whereas atrial fibrillation (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.55–4.51, P 
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Tags: Research articles: Heart failure Source Type: research