ICD detected patient activity is associated with arrhythmic events in heart failure patients

Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) reduces mortality in heart failure patients with reduced left ventricle function, arrhythmic episodes are related with increased mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether low patient activity predicts arrhythmic events in the heart failure patients with primary prevention ICD.

We examined 206 heart Failure (HF) patients (mean age: 61.3 ± 10.9 years, 77.7% male) with primary prevention implanted ICD who referred to our outpatient clinic for pacemaker control. After pacemaker (PM) controls, the overall study group was categorized into three distinct subgroups: Activity less than 2 h, activity 2-4 h, and activity 4-8 h in a day.

Activity less than 2 h had a substantially higher level of arrhythmic episodes in comparison to other groups (P < 0.05). In addition, appropriate shock or ATP (antitachycardia pacing) was detected higher in patients whose activity was less than 2 h in a day than other groups (P < 0.001).

Detected low patient activity in ICD control may be a predictor of arrhythmic episodes and appropriate therapies. Increasing physical activity may potentially protect these patients from unwanted events.