Factors associated with outcomes 3 months after implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion

BACKGROUND: Adjustment to living with an implantable cardioverter defibrill ator (ICD) is a dynamic process that varies among individuals. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of recovery and to examine the relat ionships among demographic and clinical factors, illness appraisal and copi ng behaviors, and outcomes of physical and emotional function in the early recovery period of the-first 3 months after initial ICD insertion. METHODS: Data were collected in the acute care setting and again at 1 and 3 months after ICD insertion. Subjects were 213 patients (83% men), ages 24- 85 (mean 59.6) years. Demographic and clinical variables representing perso nal and situational factors, illness appraisal, and coping variables were e xamined using hierarchical multiple-regression analyses to predict outcomes of mood disturbance and functional status. RESULTS: The data revealed that symptoms, illness appraisal, and coping beh aviors significantly explained additional variance in both functional statu s and mood disturbance above that accounted far by the less modifiable demo graphic and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms, illness appraisal, and coping behaviors were predict ors of outcomes in ICD patients. These factors are modifiable aspects of th e recovery process, and interventions aimed at symptom management, appraisa l reframing, and coping training should be tested to improve mood and funct ional outcomes for ICD patients.