The prevalence of depression in patients living with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Long-term quality of life and acceptance of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may impact patients’ life significantly. The aim of this survey was to analyse the impact of the ICD on quality of life (QoL) metrics from the patient’s perspective. ‘Living with an ICD’ was a prospective, multicentre study with an online questionnaire submitted to the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Research Network centres as well as patient associations from 10 European countries; it was filled-in directly and personally by the patients that were invited to participate, with a minimal interaction or influence from the healthcare professionals. Overall, the questionnaire was completed by 1809 patients (624 women, 34.5%). Patients in their 60s and 70s and from Western Europe were the most represented. The median time from first ICD implantation was 5 years (IQR 2–10). Device-related complications were reported by 505 patients (22.4%), including one or more inappropriate shocks (n = 209, 11.6%). Almost half the respondents reported improved QoL, with a more favourable impact for those receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D), and only a 10th experienced a significant decrease in QoL. The occurrence of complications remained a major predictor of deteriorated QoL (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.4–3.0, P < 0.001). In conclusion, most patients have a globally positive view and acceptance of ICD therapy, reporting preserved to improved QoL after device implantation. Complications, namely inappropriate shocks, affect the expectation of living a normal life post-implant and are associated with a significant decrease in QoL. Our findings also highlight the importance of a detailed informed consent process and the involvement of the patient in the decision-making process.

Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure and an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is associated with development of depressive symptoms and reduced quality of life (QoL). Patients with HF and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) were evaluated regarding depressive symptoms and QoL.

METHODS

The present study included 446 patients with HF and an ICD. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), QoL was evaluated using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Functional ability and exercise tolerance were assessed at inclusion and after 6 months with help of the 6-min walking test (6MWT).

RESULTS

Patients included in the study had a mean age of 65.8 years and were predominantly male (83.6%), with mostly ischemic (n = 277; 62.1%) or dilated (n = 150; 33.6%) cardiomyopathy. One hundred ninety-three (43.2%) patients had depressive symptoms, of whom 75 patients (16.8%) were classified as moderate to severe depression according to the PHQ-9 at baseline. Depressive symptoms were associated with low QoL independent of NYHA functional class. High NYHA functional class, high PHQ-9 score, age and body mass index (BMI) were associated with a lower 6MWT at enrollment, while depressive symptoms (expressed as higher PHQ-9 score) and age were associated with a lower 6MWT after 6 months. Patients with history of smoking and a higher BMI showed higher PHQ-9 scores after 6 months. Patients under antidepressant medication showed improved PHQ-9 score after 6 months, indicating controlled/treated depression. However, patients with low QoL at inclusion remained with low QoL after 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms correlate with low QoL and lower long-term functional status in patients with HF and an ICD. Depressive symptoms are associated with smoking and obesity, which themselves are risk factors for a poor prognosis in HF. Only a small fraction of patients with HF and ICD showing depressive symptoms receives appropriate treatment. Assessing depressive symptoms and lifestyle factors should be part of a multimodal treatment plan in patients with HF and an ICD.

Depressive symptoms in patients after primary and secondary prophylactic ICD implantation

OBJECTIVE

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are successfully used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias and prevent sudden cardiac death. However, they are also known to have a major psychological impact leading to higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in a substantial proportion of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a large cohort of ICD carriers with a different clinical background and to compare prevalence and risk factors between patients with primary and secondary prophylactic indication for ICD implantation.

METHODS

315 out of 622 patients (50.6%), who regularly attended ICD assessments at the University Hospital Zurich completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI I-II) to estimate current depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Overall, depressive symptoms were common in ICD patients, with 20.3% of the patients showing clinically relevant depression (12.4% mild depressive symptoms, 6.0% moderate, 1.9% severe). Moderate to severe depressive symptoms seem to be more likely in patients with secondary prophylactic indication of the ICD as compared to a group of patients with primary prophylactic implantation. Patients that received more than 5 ICD shocks since implantation reveal more depressive symptoms than those with less events. Mean BDI Score in total (n = 315) was at 8.44 ± 7.56 without a statistically significant difference between the primary (M = 8.04 ± 7.10, n = 153) and secondary (M = 8.81 ± 7.98, n = 162) preventive group (p value = 0.362), even after adjustment for various clinical characteristics. ICD patients should therefore be well supported and advised concerning the psychological impact of their device and particular aspects of daily life concerns (e.g. physical activity), with a special focus on patients, who have received multiple shocks.