Prognosis among survivors of primary ventricular fibrillation in the percutaneous coronary intervention era

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) constitutes one of the most prevalent modes of death and is mainly caused by primary ventricular fibrillation (VF), that is, VF in the acute setting of a first acute myocardial infarction (MI). Current guidelines for secondary prevention of SCD are based on data from the thrombolysis era. We analyzed follow-up data of a large group of primary VF survivors to determine prognosis and risk of SCD in patients who received contemporary MI treatment. Methods Patients in this study were included in the ongoing Dutch multicenter primary VF study between December 1999 and April 2007. Primary VF was defined as VF during the first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients surviving the first 30 days were analyzed in this study. Data on mortality, cause of death, hospitalization, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation were retrieved from national databases. In addition, data on left ventricular ejection fraction and medication use during follow-up were retrieved. Results In total, 341 primary VF patients (cases) and 292 STEMI patients without VF (controls) were included in the study. Demographic and infarct characteristics were comparable between both groups. The median follow-up was 3.33 years for cases and 3.69 for controls ( P = .02). The left ventricular ejection fraction post-STEMI was 45.1% versus 46.5% ( P = .342). During follow-up, 19 cases died versus 24 controls. Cox regression analysis showed no significant difference in survival between cases and controls (relative risk 0.59, 95% CI 0.15-2.30). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were implanted in 22 cases and 2 controls ( P < .001), but only 2 cases and 1 control patient received appropriate ICD shocks. β-Blocker use during follow-up was 84.4% in cases versus 76.2% in controls ( P = .049). Of cases, 2.5% were rehospitalized for acute MI versus 10.1% of controls ( P < .001). The numbers of admissions for acute coronary syndromes and chest pain were not different between groups. Conclusions In conclusion, patients who survive the first month after primary VF have a similar prognosis as patients with a STEMI without VF. This is the first study to address this question in the modern era of reperfusion therapy. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment in primary VF patients without residual ischemia or other risk factors can be safely withheld.