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Updated: May 11, 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 in patients with COPD
Niyada Naksuk1, Ken M Kunisaki1, David G Benditt1
1Division of Cardiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Chest
|May 18, 2013
Summary
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience more implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks, but still benefit from ICD therapy for heart failure. This study highlights the importance of ICDs in managing cardiac conditions alongside COPD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent comorbidity in patients with heart failure.
- The effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy remains uncertain for individuals with both heart failure and COPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of ICD shocks and overall mortality in patients with heart failure, comparing those with and without COPD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 628 patients who received defibrillator implantation between 2006 and 2010 was analyzed.
- Outcomes including ICD shock events and mortality were examined over a median follow-up of 4.1 years.
Main Results:
- Patients with COPD (39%) were more functionally limited and more likely to receive an ICD for primary prevention.
- COPD was associated with a higher incidence of appropriate ICD shocks (29% vs 17%) and a twofold increased odds of appropriate shocks.
- While all-cause mortality was higher in the COPD group, 1-year mortality and time to death after the first appropriate shock were comparable.
Conclusions:
- Patients with COPD experience a greater frequency of ICD shocks compared to those without COPD.
- Despite the higher shock incidence, patients with COPD appear to derive benefit from ICD therapy.
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