Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):489-491

The quality of life (QOL) of patients with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. A comparison of QOL of patients in two implantation centers

Eliška Sovová^1,*, Jitka Vlašínová², Alena Kmoníčková¹, Jan Lukl¹, Vlastimil Doupal¹, Bořivoj Semrád²

¹ I. interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice a Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého, Olomouc

² Interní kardiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Brno-Bohunice a Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno, Česká republika

The aim of the study was to compare the data derived from a questionnaire regarding the quality of life (QOL) in patients with the implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) in two centers in the Czech Republic. ICD patients in two centers (A and B) received a 32-item questionnaire (patient identification data, psychological aspects of cardioverter/defibrillator implantation, information on the ICD, and quality of life /employment, hobbies, physical activity, sexual activity/). Statistical analysis was performed using contingency tables.
Responses to the questionnaire were obtained from 77 (61 males, 16 females) center A patients, with a mean age of 64 (24-81) years, and from 52 (39 males, 16 females) center B patients, with a mean age of 63 (29-80) years. The respondence rates were 88% and 90% (A and B, respectively). The mean time from ICD implantation was 29 and 26 months (A, B, respectively). No discharge was recorded by 27 and 18 (35% and 35% in centers A and B) patients, while more than 3 discharges were recorded in 16 and 14 patients (21% and 27%, respectively). Seventy-three and 49 (95% and 94%, respectively) reported they felt safer with the ICD. Eighteen and 8 patients (23% and 15%, respectively) got quickly accustomed to the device, while 8 and 5 patients (10 % in both) reported fear of the device. A poor level of information on ICD function was reported by 30 and 13 patients (39%, 25%, respectively).
There were no significant differences between the patient groups in the basic parameters of QOL. Patients should be provided more information on the ICD.

Keywords: Quality of life; Cardioverter, defibrillator implantation; Comparison of two centers

Published: November 1, 2002  Show citation