Impact of advanced age on survival in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Given the selectivity of clinical trial patients and meager representation of elderly in the major implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) randomized trials (75 years, less than half that of the youngest group. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with subjects 75 years [hazard ratio (HR), 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8–7.9; P < 0.001] and those 65–75 years (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7–4.8; P < 0.001) were at greater risk of death. Increased age was associated with higher total, cardiac, and non-cardiac mortality (all P ≤ 0.001). Age at ICD implantation is strongly and independently associated with mortality. Age should be considered among potential co-morbidities in anticipating survival of the elderly patient prior to ICD implantation.