Comparison of patient and partner quality of life and health outcomes in the first year after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Adaptation status and related factors in patients living with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Introduction

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the only approach to treat patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Adaptation and acceptance of ICD play an important role in the optimal treatment of the patients. The aim of this study was to determine adaptation status and related factors in patients living with ICDs.

Methods and Materials

In this descriptive-analytical study, 148 patients referred to Kowsar Hospital in Shiraz and Farshchian Hospital in Hamedan city between July 2020 and September 2021 were included in the study. Patients' adjustment status was measured based on the mode of the Roy nursing model and using the Baecke physical activity questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality, mini nutritional assessment (MNA) nutrition questionnaire, constipation scoring questionnaire, self-concept scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS).

Results

Patients had low physical activity and poor sleep quality. Negative self-concept in relation to the disease and adherence to physicians' recommendations was observed among patients. In addition, patients did not have optimal interpersonal communication. Multivariate regression findings showed that the number of years of device implantation and the number of shock discharges are effective factors in the incidence of insomnia and the negative self-concept of patients.

Conclusion

Patients living with ICD did not adjust to the new conditions after placement of the device. Low level of physical activity and sleep disturbance and also negative self-concept about the disease and adherence to treatment was observed among the patients. Shock discharges and duration of the device implantation were associated with impaired self-concept and insomnia in the patients.

Factors that influence marital satisfaction in men with a heart rhythm disorders

BACKGROUND

A diagnosis of a cardiac arrhythmia can affect marital relations and diminish libido and satisfaction with a patient's sex life. The aim of the study was to assess the factors that affect marital satisfaction in men with an arrhythmias who had qualified for cardiac pacemaker implantation.

METHODS

The study included 103 men (aged 58.28 ± 8.72) with recognized heart rhythm disorders who were hospitalized in Department of Electrocardiology. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF) and the Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) were used in this research.

RESULTS

The greater the severity of the anxiety (r = 0.2492, p = 0.011) and depression symptoms (r = 0.3735, p = 0.000), the less satisfied a patient was with the relationship. An analysis showed that depression (p = 0.000), sexual desire (p = 0.001), overall satisfaction (p = 0.009), erectile function (p = 0.0162) and intercourse satisfaction (p = 0.026) are important predictors of marital satisfaction. Only sexual desire was an important predictor of marital satisfaction in patients with sinus node dysfunction, while the depression, sexual desire and overall satisfaction results were predictors in patients with atrioventricular blocks.

CONCLUSION

Anxiety and depression symptoms affect the assessment of marital satisfaction in men with a heart rhythm disorder. Different factors influence marital satisfaction for different heart rhythm disorders.

Patient plus partner trial: A randomized controlled trial of 2 interventions to improve outcomes after an initial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

BACKGROUND

Interventions to improve physical and psychological outcomes in recipients with an initial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and their intimate partners are largely unstudied, though likely to have a major impact on adjustment to the ICD and general well-being.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to report the primary outcomes of the patient plus partner randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

In a 2-group (N = 301) prospective randomized controlled trial, we compared 2 social-cognitive-based intervention programs-patient plus partner (P+P) and patient only (P only)-implemented after initial ICD implantation. The patient intervention, consisting of educational materials, nurse-delivered telephone coaching, videotape demonstrations, and access to a nurse via a 24/7 pager, was implemented in both groups. P+P also incorporated partner participation. The primary patient outcomes were symptoms and anxiety at 3 months. Other outcomes were physical function (SF-36 [Short Form 36] and ICD shocks-patient), psychological adjustment (PHQ-9 [Patient Health Questionaire-9]), relationship impact (Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale (DAS and OCBS) partner), self-efficacy and knowledge (Sudden Cardiac Arrest-Self Efficacy [SCA-SE], Sudden Cardiac Arrest-Outcomes Expectation [SCA-OE], and Knowledge Self-Assessment [KSA]), and health care utilization (outpatient visits and hospitalizations) at hospital discharge and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-ICD implantation.

RESULTS

For patients, P+P compared with P only was more effective in improving symptoms (P = .02), depression (P = .006), self-efficacy (P = .02), outcome expectations (P = .03), and knowledge (P = .07). For partners, P+P was more effective in improving partner caregiver burden (P = .002), self-efficacy (P = .001), and ICD knowledge (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

An intervention that integrated the partner into the patient's recovery after an ICD improved outcomes for both. Beyond survival benefits of the ICD, intervention programs designed to address both the patient and their partner living successfully with an ICD are needed and promising.

Psychological distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and their partners

OBJECTIVES

Adjustment to life with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be challenging for some patients and their partners, with disease and individual characteristics likely influencing the process. We examined whether perceived social support and clinical patient characteristics are associated with change in couples' symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first year after ICD implantation, and explored whether the associations differ between patients and partners.

METHOD

A cohort of consecutively implanted patients (n = 286; 21% women) and their partners completed questionnaires on social support and symptoms of anxiety and depression prior to ICD implantation and 12 months later. Information on demographic and clinical characteristics were captured from patients' medical records or purpose-designed questions. Data were analyzed using multilevel models accounting for the interdependency of scores within couples with adjustment for possible confounders.

RESULTS

Higher ratings of perceived social support prior to ICD implantation were associated with greater reductions in couples' symptoms of anxiety and depression, whereas having received an ICD shock was associated with less improvement. Secondary prevention indication for ICD implantation and symptomatic heart failure were associated with less improvement in anxiety symptoms. These associations applied to both patients' and partners' levels of distress.

CONCLUSION

The patient's heart disease affects both patients' and partners' psychological adjustment in the first year after ICD implantation. Interventions are warranted that address this issue not only in patients but also in partners. Targeting social support as a resource for both could be one avenue to pursue.

Sleep disturbance in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Prevalence, predictors and impact on health status

Background:

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in patients with cardiac diseases and associated with poor health outcomes. However, little is known about sleep disturbance in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Aims:

We examined the prevalence and predictors of sleep disturbance and the impact on perceived health status in a Dutch cohort of implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients.

Methods:

Patients (n=195) enrolled in the Web-based distress program for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients (WEBCARE) trial completed questionnaires at the time of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, three, six and 12 months afterwards. Sleep disturbance was assessed with the corresponding item #3 of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9.

Results:

At baseline, 67% (n=130) reported sleep disturbance (cut off ≥1). One year later, the prevalence was 57% (n=112). Younger age (odds ratio=0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.92–0.99; p=0.012) and high negative affectivity/low social inhibition (odds ratio=4.47, 95% confidence interval 1.52–13.17; p=0.007) were associated with sleep disturbance at 12 months in adjusted analyses. Sleep disturbance was not associated with health status at 12 months. Charlson Comorbidity Index, anxiety, Type D personality and high negative affectivity/low social inhibition were associated with impaired health status at follow-up.

Conclusions:

Sleep disturbance was highly prevalent in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Younger age and high negative affectivity predicted sleep disturbance 12 months post-implantation independent of other demographic, clinical, intervention and psychological covariates. Sleep disturbance was not associated with impaired health status at the 12-month follow-up.

Posttraumatic stress and quality of life with the totally subcutaneous compared to conventional cardioverter-defibrillator systems

BACKGROUND

For prevention of sudden cardiac death, the transvenously implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy (tv-ICD) is well accepted. The subcutaneous system (S-ICD^®) is promising in terms of reducing ICD complications. Nevertheless, the impact of the novel generator position on patients' quality of life (QoL) is yet unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at comparing QoL and posttraumatic stress with both systems.

METHODS

60 S-ICD^® and 60 case-controlled tv single-chamber ICD patients were asked to respond to three standardized questionnaires. PDS [screening for posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD)] and PHQ-D (detection of the most predominant psychological disorders) were used to screen for potential mental comorbidities. The SF-12 questionnaire was used to evaluate physical and mental well-being. Groups were compared in terms of QoL and PTSD.

RESULTS

n = 42 (70%) pairs were analyzed (n = 30 male, mean age 44.6 ± 12.2 years). Prior appropriate (p = 0.06) or inappropriate episodes (p = 0.24), ejection fraction (p = 0.28), or underlying cardiac disease did not differ significantly between groups. PDS revealed a PTSD in n = 6 tv-ICD and n = 6 S-ICD^® patients (14.3%) equally. In the PHQ-D questionnaire, n = 4 tv-ICD and n = 2 S-ICD^® patients fulfilled criteria for a major depression (p = 0.68). Panic disorders (n = 2 tv, n = 0 S-ICD^®, p = 0.5), and anxiety disorders (n = 3 S-ICD^®, n = 0 tv-ICD, p = 0.24) did not differ between groups. The physical well-being score was 39.9 ± 12.5 in patients with a tv-ICD compared to 46.6 ± 9.9 in S-ICD^® patients (p = 0.01). The mental well-being score was comparable in both groups (tv-ICD 51.8 ± 10.8 vs. S-ICD^® 51.9 ± 10.4, p = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Our case-control study revealed equal or even better physical well-being of patients with the S-ICD^®. PTSD occurred in almost 15% of ICD patients irrespective of the type of system.