Long-term follow-up of patients treated with ICD:: Benefit in patients with preserved left ventricular function

Objective. Most major defibrillator trials have short follow-up and may neither capture the benefit for those with preserved function nor the progressive nature of advanced heart disease. We intended to investigate the long-term outcome in an unselected population of patients treated with ICD. Design. We followed 124 consecutive patients that received an ICD during 1993-2002 at our institution for a median of 6.1 years. Information about heart disease, index arrhythmia, follow-up and death was extracted from medical records. Results. The crude mortality was 26% (32/124). One- and two-year mortality was 6% and 12%, estimated 5- and 10-year mortality 20% and 33%. The cause of death was heart failure in 75% of deaths. The ejection fraction was below 35% in 91% of the 32 patients who died. We estimated that 28% of the patients received lifesaving therapy. The relative number of saved lives and complications was not related to the ejection fraction. Conclusion. Patients with preserved left ventricular function are excellent candidates for ICD, with life-saving ICD therapies in a substantial proportion, low mortality and good quality of life.