Introduction: To evaluate the effect of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) on survival and compare the device interventions in patients treated for primary or secondary prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).
Methods: We included 156 patients (136 men), mean age 65?12 years, who received an ICD (99 for secondary prevention). The follow-up duration was 25?17 months.
Results: Appropriate ICD intervention was demonstrated in 12 patients (21.1%) in primary prevention group and in 34 patients (34.3%) in secondary prevention group (OR 1.96 95%CI 0.91-4.2, p=0.082). Time to first appropriate intervention was 6.92 and 4 months respectively (p=0.196). Inappropriate ICD intervention was observed in 12 patients (21.1%) in primary prevention group and in 9 patients (9.1%) in secondary prevention group (OR 2.6 95%CI 1.04-6.79, p=0.04). Time to first inappropriate intervention was 7 and 15.8 months respectively (p=0.21). There were reported 17 deaths, 9 in secondary prevention group (p=0.34).
Conclusions: Appropriate ICD interventions are present in both primary and secondary prevention groups with similar survival rates. Primary prevention ICD patients experienced more often inappropriate ICD interventions.