Introduction: Our hypothesis was that the impact of ICD shocks on healthcare utilization is very significant and costly.
Methods: We conducted a case-control analysis of ICD patients at a single institution from 1997-2010. Cases included all patients experiencing an appropriate ICD shock during the first 12 months after implantation. Propensity scores based on 36 covariates were used to match cases to controls. We compared the rate (occurrences/person year (PY)) of healthcare utilization immediately following shock to the end of the 12 month follow up period to the rate in the no shock group.
Results: A total of 81 patients experiencing appropriate ICD shocks were matched to 81 no shock patients. Mean age was 66.2±12.8 years; 85.2% were males and 64.2% received an ICD for primary prevention.
Conclusions: Patients experiencing an appropriate shock more frequently had cardiovascular (CV)-related clinic or emergency room visits and were hospitalized more frequently. Moreover, they had a higher overall 12-month treatment cost. This increased utilization of health care confirms the significance of timely identification or prediction of shocks in patients with ICDs.