Impact of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator on rehospitalizations

Patients who survive out-of-hospital ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation are at risk of sudden cardiac death and often return to hospital after initial discharge. The frequency and duration of readmittance to hospital are not well known. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator on frequency and duration of hospitalizations. Methods Between 1989 and 1993, 38 consecutive patients who had drug-refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias were selected for the study. A total of 38 patients were implanted with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in accordance with the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. This analysis includes 35 of the 38 patients (92%). All hospitalizations which occurred one year before and one year after were studied. Clinical information for all patients was obtained by consulting medical records and by interviewing personal general practitioners. Results The annual number of hospitalizations before and after implantation of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator was, respectively, 3·28 ± 2 hospitalizations/patient/year and 0·88 ± 1·23 hospitalizations/patient/year (P<0·05). Before implantation of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, patients were hospitalized a mean of 32·94 plusmn; 24·18 days/patient/year and after, 9·31 ± 32·14 days/patient/year (P