Effect of physical and psychocognitive function and perceived health status on 12-month adverse cardiac events among implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients.

• In ICD patients, a reduced executive function predicted 12-month cardiac events. • Longer time after implant also affected 12-month cardiac events. • Healthcare providers need to regularly evaluate executive function in routine care. Post-implant recovery in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is often compromised because of reduced physical and psycho-cognitive function and poor health perception, leading to short event-free survival. To examine the effects of psychocognitive function, health perception, and ICD-related factors on 12-month cardiac events among ICD patients. Using a prospective study design, ICD patients underwent baseline assessment and were followed for 12 months to assess cardiac events. Cardiac events occurred in 14 patients (18.9%) (N = 74: age, 58 years; primary ICDs, 45.9%). Time after ICD implant (odds ratio [OR] = 1.002; p =.028) and executive function (OR = 1.021; p =.027) were significant predictors of 12-month cardiac events, while other physical and psychological indices were not. Reduced executive function and longer time after implant predicted the events. Healthcare professionals need to assess executive function and provide treatment and support to improve executive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]