Predictors and Proarrhythmic Consequences of Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy

Taro Tenma1, Hisashi Yokoshiki, Kazuya Mizukami

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine.

Insights

Younger age, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and not using diuretics predict inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. Proarrhythmic consequences from ICD therapy were rare.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy offers significant benefits but can lead to adverse events.
  • Inappropriate shocks from ICDs pose risks to patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors of inappropriate ICD shocks.
  • To assess the proarrhythmic consequences of inappropriate ICD therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 316 patients who received ICD implantation.
  • Multivariate analysis to determine independent predictors of inappropriate shocks.

Main Results:

  • 70 patients (22%) experienced inappropriate ICD shocks without proarrhythmia.
  • 2 patients (0.6%) had proarrhythmic inappropriate therapy via antitachycardia pacing (ATP).
  • Younger age (≤56 years), paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, stroke, and no diuretic use were independent predictors of inappropriate shocks.

Conclusions:

  • Younger age, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, stroke, and lack of diuretic use are associated with inappropriate ICD shocks.
  • Proarrhythmic inappropriate ICD therapy via ATP occurred at an annual incidence of 0.18%.
Abstract

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