Anxiety and depression among the patients with frequent implantable cardioverter–defibrillator discharges

The psychological impact of permanent cardiac pacemakers on pediatric patients and their parents: A case control study

BACKGROUND

This study assessed anxiety and depression in children with permanent pacemakers (PPM) and quality of life of their parents.

METHODS

Ninety children (63.3% males and 36.6% females) and their parents were included in the study and were divided into three groups. The control group (Group 1) included 30 normal healthy children (57% males and 43% females), the PPM group (Group 2) included 30 age-matched children (70% males and 30% females) with PPM and structurally normal heart, while the Group 3 included 30 children (63% males and 37% females) with PPM and congenital heart disease (PPM+CHD). Psychological assessment of children and their parents was carried out using an interview-based questionnaires.

RESULTS

Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent in PPM+CHD group including depression (P=0.04), anxiety (P=0.02) and lower parents' QoL (P=0.01). The PPM group had higher depression and lower parents' QoL than the control group. Family income was independent factor for depression (r2=-6.3, with P<0.05). Sex of the child and CCU admission were independent factors for anxiety (r2=-9.5, P<0.05 & r2=10.5, P=0.001) in PPM group.

CONCLUSION

Children with pacemakers have higher psychiatric disorders and their parents have lower QoL.

Reduction in depressive symptoms in primary prevention ICD scheduled patients - One year prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), have previously been associated with the onset of depression and anxiety. The aim of this one-year prospective study was to evaluate the rate of new onset psychopathological symptoms after elective ICD implantation.

METHODS

A total of 158 consecutive outpatients who were scheduled for an elective ICD implantation were diagnosed and screened based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAM-A). Patient's attitude toward the ICD device was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 64±12.4years; 134 (85%) were men, with the majority of patients performing the procedure for reasons of 'primary prevention'. According to the MINI diagnosis at baseline, three (2%) patients suffered from major depressive disorder and ten (6%) from dysthymia. Significant improvement in HAM-D mean scores was found between baseline, three months and one year after implantation (6.50±6.4; 4.10±5.3 and 2.7±4.6, respectively F(2100)=16.42; p<0.001). There was a significantly more positive attitude toward the device over time based on the VAS score [F(2122)=53.31, p<0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

ICD implantation significantly contributes to the reduction of depressive symptoms, while the overall mindset toward the ICD device was positive and improved during the one-year follow-up.

A pilot study of a mindfulness based stress reduction program in adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators or pacemakers

Adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) or pacemakers (PMs) face unique challenges that can cause psychosocial distress. Psychosocial interventions are effective for adults with cardiac devices and could potentially impact adolescents' adjustment to these devices. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured psycho-educational program that includes meditation, yoga, and group support and has been studied extensively among adults. This study examined the feasibility of the MBSR program for adolescents with ICDs/PMs, a population previously unexamined in the research literature. The participants completed measures of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and coping (Responses to Stress Questionnaire) at baseline and after the six-session MBSR intervention. Mean age of the cohort (n = 10) was 15 ± 3 years, 6 were male, 6 had a PM, and 4 had an ICD. Feasibility was demonstrated by successful recruitment of 10 participants, 100 % participation and completion. Anxiety decreased significantly following the intervention, with a large effect size, t[9] = 3.67, p < .01, ŋ (2) = .59. Anxiety frequency decreased from baseline to post-intervention (Fisher's exact test p = .024), and 90 % of participants reported decreased anxiety scores post-intervention. Coping skills related negatively to anxiety (r = -.65, p = .04) and depression (r = -.88, p = .001). Post-intervention, the group independently formed their own Facebook group and requested to continue meeting monthly. Although generalizability is limited due to the small sample size, this successful pilot study paves the way for larger studies to examine the efficacy of MBSR interventions in adolescents with high-risk cardiac diagnoses.

Psychiatric functioning and quality of life in young patients with cardiac rhythm devices

BACKGROUND

Less is known about depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents with pacemakers (PMs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) than is known in adults with these devices.

METHODS

A standardized psychiatric interview diagnosed anxiety/depressive disorders in a cross-sectional study. Self-report measures of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder were obtained. Medical disease severity, family functioning and QoL data were collected. A total of 166 patients were enrolled (52 ICD, 114 PM; median age 15 years).

RESULTS

Prevalence of current and lifetime psychiatric disorders was higher in patients with ICDs than PMs (Current: 27% vs. 11%, P = .02; Lifetime: 52% ICD vs. 34% PM, P = .01). Patients with ICDs had more anxiety than a healthy population (25% vs. 7%, P < .01). Patients with ICDs and PMs had similar levels of depression as a healthy population (ICD 10%, PM 4%, reference 4%, P = .29). In multivariate analysis including a medical disease score, demographics, exposure to beta-blockers, activity limitations, hospitalizations, shocks and procedures, the type of device (PM versus ICD) did not predict psychiatric diagnoses when age at implantation and the severity of medical disease were controlled for. Patients with ICDs and PMs had lower physical QoL scores (ICD 45, PM 47.5, Norm 53, P ≤ .03), but similar psychosocial functioning scores (ICD 49, PM 51, Norm 51, P ≥ .16) versus a normal reference population.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety is highly prevalent in young patients with ICDs, but the higher rates can be attributed to medical disease severity and age at implantation instead of type of device.

Psychiatric disorders and quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature with regard to psychiatric disorders and quality of life in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

DATA SOURCES

Research was conducted in 3 databases (ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO) using the terms implantable, cardioverter, defibrillator, quality of life, psych *, anxiety, and depression.

STUDY SELECTION

The search yielded 1,399 references. Non-English and repeated references were excluded. After abstract analysis, 42 references were recovered for full-text reading, and 25 articles were selected for this review.

DATA EXTRACTION

Research took place in April 2012, and no time restriction was placed on any of the database searches. Review or theoretical articles were excluded, and only clinical trials and epidemiologic studies were selected for this review.

RESULTS

A systematic review of the literature revealed mostly observational prospective cohort studies followed by cross-sectional observational studies and randomized clinical trials. Few studies included in the review were observational retrospective cohort or case-control studies. There are prominent signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Disorders include phobic anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, somatoform disorder, agoraphobia, and depression. Quality of life in the physical, social, and psychological domains is affected and is related to the intensity and the frequency of the device's electrical discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Work regarding psychiatric comorbidity in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator has shown that anxiety and depression are common. The patients and their families should be informed by their doctors that the presence of the device minimizes risk of sudden death and allows them to have a normal life.

Chronic posttraumatic stress and its predictors in patients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

INTRODUCTION

Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) show clinically relevant depression and anxiety, but little is known about their levels of posttraumatic stress. We assessed chronic posttraumatic stress attributable to a traumatic cardiac event and its predictors in patients at two time points after ICD placement.

METHODS

We investigated 107 consecutively enrolled patients (57 ± 14 years, 62% men) on average 24 ± 21 months after ICD placement (baseline) and again 41 ± 18 months later (follow-up). All patients completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to self-rate the severity of posttraumatic stress (range 0-110). The 30% of patients with the highest IES-R scores (≥ 25) at baseline were defined as PTSD cases; the same threshold was applied to define PTSD caseness at follow-up.

RESULTS

Posttraumatic stress increased from baseline to follow-up (19 ± 22 vs. 25 ± 19, p < 0.001); 19% of patients had PTSD at both assessments, 12% at baseline only, and 18% at follow-up only. Female gender as well as greater peritraumatic dissociation and depression predicted greater posttraumatic stress at baseline (p-values ≤ 0.041). Greater baseline posttraumatic stress, helplessness, alexithymia, and ≥ 5 shocks during follow-up all predicted greater posttraumatic stress at follow-up (p-values ≤ 0.029). Female gender, helplessness, and depression predicted PTSD at baseline (p-values ≤ 0.022); low education and posttraumatic stress at baseline predicted PTSD at follow-up (p-values ≤ 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Between 2 and 5.5 years post-ICD placement chronic posttraumatic stress slightly increased and nearly one-fifth of patients had newly developed PTSD. The identified psychological predictors of long-term chronicity of posttraumatic stress might particularly inform behavioral interventions for ICD recipients.

[Psychological comorbidity and quality of life in patients with an implantable cardioverter/defribrillator (ICD)]

Currently, the method of choice for protection against sudden cardiac death for high-risk patients is ICD treatment. The CIDS study could prove a significant advantage of ICD treatment compared to amiodarone therapy. However, the survival advantages can be affected by the negative side effects of ICD therapy. The therapeutic survival function of the device is, in general, associated with a consciously experienced, at the same time completely unexpected and unprepared intracardial shock experience. Within the first year after implantation, 30-50% of patients with an ICD for secondary preventative indications experience such a shock. The average shock application frequency per year (under normal conditions) is about 2.5 shocks. The experience of one or more ICD shocks is significantly associated with a decrease in quality of life. Particularly the experiencing of five or more intracardial shocks approaches the patient's psychological resilience threshold. Partners and relatives of ICD patients are, on the other hand, often helpless with respect to the demands of and stress associated with the ICD technology. In current clinical practice, the involvement of the partners in the treatment of ICD patients is generally a coincidence and is generally not systematic or target-oriented. Improved involvement of relatives can contribute to an improved prognosis. Cardiologists caring for ICD patients should be aware of the specific psychological aspects of ICD technology, integrate these aspects into the guidance and care of patients, and be able to identify and address pathologically negative affects and crises in ICD patients.

Association between symptoms of depression and anxiety with heart rate variability in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated whether depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with measures of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators who are at high risk of cardiac rhythm disturbances. Depression and anxiety are associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which may promote the risk of malignant cardiac arrhythmias.

METHODS

Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) underwent ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring (n = 44, mean age = 62.1 +/- 9.3 years). Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and anxiety was evaluated using the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. Heart rate variability was assessed using time (RMSSD, pNN50, and SDNN) and frequency domain measures derived from 24-hour R-R intervals. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking status.

RESULTS

Defibrillator patients with elevated depression symptoms (n = 12) had significantly lower RMSSD (15.25 +/- 1.66 ms versus 24.97 +/- 2.44 ms, p = .002) and pNN50 (1.83 +/- 0.77 versus 5.61 +/- 1.04, p = .006) than defibrillator patients with low depression symptoms (n = 32). These associations remained significant after multivariate adjustment for covariates. ICD patients with high anxiety levels (n = 10) displayed lower RMSSD (p = .013), which became marginally significant when adjusting for covariates (p = .069).

CONCLUSIONS

Depression and anxiety in defibrillator patients are associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction indices of reduced parasympathetic control. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction may partially explain the association between depression and anxiety with life-threatening cardiac outcomes in vulnerable patients.