Background: Living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has positive health benefits but the impact on well-being and quality of life over a period of time has not been studied in depth. Aim: To follow patients prospectively over the first year and to compare the changes from time of ICD implantation, to 6 months and 1 year. Methods: Generalized linear models were used to assess changes through examination of health status (SF-36), psychological distress (POMS), and quality of life (QLI) scores. Results: There were 19 females (27%) and 51 males (73%) in the sample with a mean age of 64 years. There were significant improvements over time in 3 of the 8 sub-concepts of health status: role physical ( P<0.001), vitality ( P<0.013) and social functioning ( P<0.001). The Profile of Mood States revealed significantly less total psychological distress at 6 months with a non-significant leveling off or increase at 1 year. The quality of life index revealed no significant changes over time. Conclusions: The effects of living with an ICD are not well understood. Research should continue to identify the impact over time in this population and sub-groups so that health care providers can address the social and psychological needs of this population.
Factors associated with health status and psychological distress among cardiac arrest survivors treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
