Quality of life in implanted cardioverter defibrillator recipients: The impact of a device shock

BACKGROUND: The success of the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in prolonging the life of patients with arrhythmia suggests a need to assess quality of life (QOL), especially in those who receive an ICD shock. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare QOL in a group who received an ICD shock with a group who did not receive an ICD shock during the first year. METHODS: Fifty-nine subjects, 42 men and 17 women with a mean age 63 years, completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, Ferrans and Powers QOL Index, Profile of Mood States at implantation and I year, and the Brodsky ICD Questionnaire at 1 year. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent received an ICD shock. Those in the shock group had worse mental health (P <=.04) and vitality scores (P <=.03) on the Short Form-36, increased anxiety (p <=.015), fatigue (P <=.005), and psychologic distress (P <=.02), as measured by Profile of Mood States, compared with the no shock group at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Shocked ICD recipients demonstrate mental health concerns.