Factors related to quality-of-life pattern changes in recipients of implantable defibrillators.

Purpose: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has proven life-saving, yet it is important to understand its psychological effects on recipients. This study examined longitudinal changes in patterns of quality-of-life (QOL) scores in the first 3 months after an implant, and determined what variables tested as predictors of patterns.

Methods: This longitudinal, prospective, descriptive, correlational survey study followed 80 ICD patients, with data collection at a baseline preinsertion, and 1 and 3 months after implant.

Results: Findings revealed eight patterns of QOL change that were recoded into 3 groups: no change (44.7%), worse (20.7%), and improved (34.2%). No significant difference was evident in groups according to age at implant, gender, education, ejection fraction, number of device discharges, and comorbidities. State anxiety was significantly higher for the worsening group.

Conclusion: This finding supports the practice of identifying and supporting patients with anxiety, which correlates with a worsening QOL.