Quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with a subcutaneous versus transvenous defibrillator system

Background Use of the subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) has increased because the device received US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2012, but we still know little about whether the quality of life (QoL) of patients with an S-ICD versus a transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) is comparable. We compared S-ICD patients with TV-ICD patients on QoL, depression, and anxiety up to 12 months' follow-up. Methods A matched cohort of S-ICD (N = 167) and TV-ICD patients (N = 167) completed measures on QoL, depression, anxiety, and personality at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post implant. Data were analyzed using multivariable modeling with repeated measures. Results In adjusted analyses, we found no statistically significant differences between cohorts on physical and mental QoL and depression (all Ps > .05), while S-ICD patients reported lower anxiety than TV-ICD patients (P = 0.0007). Both cohorts experienced improvements in physical and mental QoL and symptoms of depression and anxiety over time (all Ps < .001), primarily between implant and 3 months. These improvements were similar for both cohorts with respect to physical and mental QoL and anxiety (Ps > .05), while S-ICD patients experienced greater reductions in depressive symptoms (P = .0317). Conclusion The QoL and depression levels were similar in patients with an S-ICD and a TV-ICD up to 12 months' follow-up, while S-ICD patients reported lower anxiety levels and a greater reduction in depression over time as compared to TV-ICD patients. This knowledge may be important for patients and clinicians, if the indication for implantation allows both the S-ICD and the TV-ICD, making a choice possible.