Influence of primary and secondary prevention indications on anxiety about the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Conclusions In our study population, which mostly consisted of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II subjects, primary prevention ICD recipients were more prone to experience worries about their ICD, anxiety, and a poorer QOL compared to secondary prevention ICD recipients. In clinical practice, primary prevention ICD patients should be closely monitored. If warranted, they should be offered psychological intervention, as anxiety and low QOL were predictors of mortality.
Source: Journal of Arrhythmia - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research