Assessment of Anxiety Level in Patients Receiving Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Objectives: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that is used for patients who suffer from dangerous ventricular dysrhythmia like ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation by preventing them from sudden cardiac death. Our knowledge about psychological reactions and adaptability after insertion of ICD is not enough, so we did this study to assess and compare anxiety level in patients before and after ICD implantation. Materials and Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, after providing written informed consent, 95 eligible patients (30 females and 65 males) were selected through convenience sampling in Shahid Rajaee heart hospital and the medical centers related to Tehran Arrhythmia Clinic. A demographic questionnaire and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) questionnaire were used to measure anxiety level before and 4 weeks after implantation of ICD. In this study, data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software version 14.0. Results: The mean ± SD of anxiety was significantly lower in male patients than in females prior to inserting ICD device (M = 7.55±4.95 vs. F = 10.93±5.34, P = 0.003) and also after insertion (M = 7.76±5.76 vs. F = 12.06±6.68, P = 0.001). Conclusions: We found that women had a higher level of anxiety before and after ICD implantation. Since sex is a predisposing factor for encountering a higher level of anxiety, health care providers need to notice the role of gender when providing psychological support for patients with ICD.