Differences in outcomes between patients treated with single- versus dual-chamber implantable cardioverter

Loren D Berenbom1, Brian C Weiford, James L Vacek

  • 1Mid-America Cardiology and the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Kansas Hospital, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. ldberenbom@mac.md

Insights

Dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) showed a trend toward higher heart failure and mortality rates compared to single-chamber ICDs in MADIT-II trial patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in MADIT-II patients with prior myocardial infarction and low ejection fraction reduced mortality by 31%.
  • An unexpected increase in heart failure hospitalizations was observed in the ICD group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the influence of single-chamber versus dual-chamber ICDs on heart failure, mortality, and appropriate/inappropriate ICD therapy.
  • To analyze outcomes in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT-II) based on ICD generator type.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 717 patients randomized to single-chamber ICDs (S-ICDs) or dual-chamber ICDs (D-ICDs) in MADIT-II.
  • Endpoints included all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and appropriate/inappropriate ICD therapies.

Main Results:

  • 404 S-ICDs and 313 D-ICDs were implanted.
  • Patients receiving D-ICDs had higher baseline risk factors.
  • No statistically significant differences in heart failure or mortality were found between S-ICD and D-ICD groups, despite a trend toward adverse outcomes in the D-ICD group.

Conclusions:

  • Dual-chamber ICDs showed a nonsignificant trend toward higher mortality and heart failure rates compared to single-chamber ICDs.
  • These findings suggest potential differences in outcomes based on ICD generator choice, warranting further investigation.
Abstract