Quality-of-life six months after CABG surgery in patients randomized to ICD versus no ICD therapy: Findings from the CABG patch trial

ICDs can affect a patient's perceived quality-of-life (QOL). This article d escribes the QOL in patients who participated in The CABG Patch Trial. This trial evaluated the potential benefit of empiric ICD implantation in patie nts with an increased risk of arrhythmic cardiac death as determined by red uced ejection fraction (< 0.36) and an abnormal signal-averaged EGG. Patien ts were randomized to control (no ICD) or treatment (ICD) limbs. QOL was me asured using the SF-36 and other measures among 490 (68%) of 719 patients a vailable at 6-month follow-up. Analysis was performed on 228 control patien ts (those without ICDs) and 262 patients with ICDs. Results: Six months aft er having CABG surgery, patients in the ICD group had lower levels of psych ological well-being than those in the control group. In addition, compared to controls, patients whose ICDs had delivered therapy reported feeling les s healthy, had reduced physical and emotional role functioning, and had low er levels of psychological well-being. Conclusion: Strategies aimed at easi ng patients' adjustment to ICDs should be developed and tested for efficacy in the setting of ICD prophylaxis.