Age, Sex, and Remote Monitoring Differences in Device Acceptance for Patients with Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillators in Canada

ABSTRACT Background Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) acceptance and shock anxiety are measures that clinicians should address to improve quality of life among device recipients. Previous findings have indicated that younger patients experience poorer device adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine age and ICD-specific quality of life outcomes in a large sample of Canadian ICD patients. We tested the hypothesis that patient age is related to device acceptance and shock anxiety in an Alberta (Canada) ICD population. Methods The Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) and Florida Shock Acceptance Survey (FSAS) were completed by ICD patients attending the Cardiac Implantable Electrical Device Clinics in Alberta. The population was dichotomized into those aged ≤65 (younger) and >65 years of age (older). Sex, ICD shock history, and remote monitoring use were also examined. Results Surveys were completed by 126 younger (53±11 years; 79% M) and 216 older (74±6 years; 85% M) patients. Younger as compared to older patients, had greater Device Related Distress (p Conclusion ICD patients ≤65 years of age reported poorer device acceptance and greater shock anxiety than older patients. Younger patients may require targeted interventions addressing adjustment to the ICD, and impact of ICD on body image. Moreover, education about the relatively low probability of shocks may alleviate shock anxiety in younger patients.