Downgrade of cardiac defibrillator devices to pacemakers in elderly heart failure patients: clinical considerations and the importance of shared decision-making

Defibrillator exchange in the elderly

Background

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in elderly patients is controversial because survival benefits might be attenuated by nonarrhythmic causes of death.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of septuagenarians and octogenarians after ICD generator exchange (GE).

Methods

A total of 506 patients undergoing elective GE were analyzed to determine the incidence of ICD shocks and/or survival after GE. Patients were divided into a septuagenarian group (age 70-79 years) and an octogenarian group (age ≥80 years). The primary endpoint was death from any cause. Secondary endpoints were survival after appropriate ICD shock and death without experiencing ICD shocks after GE ("prior death").

Results

The association of the ICD with all-cause mortality and arrhythmic death was determined for septuagenarians and octogenarians. Comparing both groups, similar left ventricular ejection fraction (35.6% ± 11.2% vs 32.4% ± 8.9%) and baseline prevalence of New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure (17.1% vs 14.7%) were found. During the entire follow-up period of the study, 42.5% of patients in the septuagenarian group died compared to 79% in the octogenarian group (P <.01). Prior death was significantly more frequent in both age groups than were appropriate ICD shocks. Predictors of mortality were common in both groups and included advanced heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and renal failure.

Conclusion

In clinical practice, decision-making for ICD GE among the elderly should be considered carefully for individual patients.

Special Issue: Latest Advances in Delivery and Outcomes of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Conduction System Pacing

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is an established technique to improve morbidity and mortality in selected heart failure patients [...].

A pilot study on the effect of advance care planning implementation on healthcare utilisation and satisfaction in patients with advanced heart failure

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced heart failure may benefit from palliative care, including advance care planning (ACP). ACP, which can include referral back to the general practitioner (GP), may prevent unbeneficial hospital admissions and interventional/surgical procedures that are not in accordance with the patient's personal goals of care.

AIM

To implement ACP in patients with advanced heart failure and explore the effect of ACP on healthcare utilisation as well as the satisfaction of patients and cardiologists.

METHODS

In this pilot study, we enrolled 30 patients with New York Heart Association class III/IV heart failure who had had at least one unplanned hospital admission in the previous year because of heart failure. A structured ACP conversation was held and documented by the treating physician. Primary outcome was the number of visits to the emergency department and/or admissions within 3 months after the ACP conversation. Secondary endpoints were the satisfaction of patients and cardiologists as established by using a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

Median age of the patients was 81 years (range 33-94). Twenty-seven ACP documents could be analysed (90%). Twenty-one patients (78%) did not want to be readmitted to the hospital and subsequently none of them were readmitted during follow-up. Twenty-two patients (81%) discontinued all hospital care. All patients who died during follow-up (n = 12, 40%) died at home. Most patients and cardiologists indicated that they would recommend the intervention to others (80% and 92% respectively).

CONCLUSION

ACP, and subsequent out-of-hospital care by the GP, was shown to be applicable in the present study of patients with advanced heart failure and evident palliative care needs. Patients and cardiologists were satisfied with this intervention.