Implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks are prospective predictors of anxiety

Autor: Stefan M. Schulz, Georg Wiedemann, Wilhelm Dengler, Paul Pauli, Anna Grzbiela, Claudia Massa
Rok vydání: 2011
Předmět:
Zdroj: Heartlung : the journal of critical care. 42(2)
ISSN: 1527-3288
Popis: Objectives To examine the temporal contingency of anxiety and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy (anti-tachycardia-pacing and shocks to prevent ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation). Background It is under debate whether anxiety is a precursor and/or consequence of ICD-therapy. Methods In a prospective longitudinal study, fifty-four patients undergoing first-time ICD-implantation were assessed for anxiety, frequency of ICD-shocks and anti-tachycardia-pacing up to two days before ICD-implantation (T0) and twelve months later (T1). Results Anxiety at T0 did not predict frequency of ICD-shocks at T1, but ICD-shocks significantly predicted increased anxiety at T1. In contrast, anxiety at T0 and T1 was unrelated to frequency of anti-tachycardia-pacing. Effects remained stable when we controlled for potentially confounding variables (e.g. age, sex, cardiac health and depression at T0). Conclusion Our findings indicate that repeated ICD-shocks are a cause of anxiety in ICD-patients rather than a consequence, thus shock frequency should be minimized.
Databáze: OpenAIRE