Comparison of Benefit and Mortality of Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator Therapy in Patients Aged ≥75 Years Versus Those <75 Years

Implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) therapy decreases arrhythmic and all-cause mortality in patients at high risk of sudden death. However, its clinical benefit in elderly patients is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy of ICD treatment in elderly patients and to identify markers of successful ICD therapy and risk factors of mortality. We performed multivariate analysis of a prospective long-term database from 2 tertiary care centers including 936 consecutive patients with an ICD. Predictors of ICD therapy and risk factors for mortality were assessed in patients ≥75 years old at ICD implantation compared to younger patients. Mean follow-up time was 43 ±40 months. Rates of ICD therapy were similar in the 2 age groups. No significant predictors of ICD therapy could be identified in older patients. Median estimated survival was 132 months in patients