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Updated: May 26, 2026
16:40
A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: a long-term view.
1Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand. drdgwilson@gmail.com
Internal Medicine Journal
|January 4, 2012
Summary
This study tracked implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients in New Zealand for long-term outcomes. ICD patients showed low mortality but similar appropriate and inappropriate shock rates compared to other registries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Limited long-term data exists for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in Australasia.
- This study addresses the need for long-term outcome data in this region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the long-term outcomes of patients receiving new ICD implants.
- To analyze survival rates, therapy efficacy, and device longevity in a New Zealand cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 138 patients who received new ICDs between 2001 and 2005.
- Kaplan-Meier curves for survival and outcomes; Cox proportional hazard model for risk assessment.
Main Results:
- 7-year survival rate was 72% with a median follow-up of 84 months.
- Appropriate shock rates were higher in secondary prevention (HR=2.11), and inappropriate shocks were linked to atrial fibrillation (HR=3.57).
- Median device longevity was 6.8 years, with a 25% inappropriate therapy rate.
Conclusions:
- This is the first long-term follow-up study of ICD patients in New Zealand.
- Observed low mortality rates compared to international registries.
- Similar rates of appropriate and inappropriate shock therapy were noted.
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