Psychopathology in postinfarction patients implanted with cardioverter-defibrillators for secondary prevention. A cross-sectional, case-controlled study.

Objective: To determine (1) the incidence of anxiety and depression in patients implanted with defibrillators for secondary arrhythmia protection after myocardial infarction; (2) the effect of comorbidity and receipt of shock therapy on psychosocial maladjustment.

Methods: Cross-sectional, one-off, questionnaire-based (HADS; MOS SF-36), case-controlled study of defibrillator recipients (n=100) from a 3-year implant period and three groups of matched controls [pacemaker (n=50), coronary intervention (n=50), atrial fibrillation (n=50)], sharing specific preselected previous health experiences. Spouses of each subgroup (n=106) were also studied.