Factors determining long-term outcomes and survival in patients with coronary artery disease and ventricular tachyarrhythmias: a single center experience

A Single-Center Experience. The influence, after ICD implantation, of concomitant CABG, angioplasty, and other antiischemic therapeutic interventions, like treatment with beta -blockers, on outcome and mortality of patients with VT or VF due to CAD remains uncertain. The univariate and multivariate risks of recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias requiring ICD interventions or death associated with baseline clinical and functional variables were studied in 160 consecutive patients with CAD of whom 30 underwent CABG or angioplasty less than or equal to 2 weeks before ICD implantation. ICD interventions occurred in 98 (61%) patients over a mean follow-up of 1,065 days. In univariate and multivariate analysis, VT as the presenting arrhythmia was the only clinical factor predictive of recurrences. Treatment with beta -blockers at hospital discharge reduced the probability of recurrences. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed the effect of beta -blockers (P -blocker therapy were associated with excess recurrences of ventricular arrhythmias after ICD implantation. In contrast, survival depended primarily on left ventricular function at discharge. Revascularization did not prevent recurrences of arrhythmias and had no significant effect on survival in the small group of patients who underwent CABG or angioplasty