Charlson Comorbidity Index Predictive of Mortality after ICD Generator Replacement

The paper looked at the association between the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and outcomes after the replacement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generator. The study included 1,421 patients undergoing first ICD generator replacement, and the outcomes included all-cause mortality, appropriate ICD therapy, and death prior to appropriate therapy, using multivariable Cox regression analysis to assess associations between CCI and outcomes. The researchers reported that a higher CCI score was linked with increased all-cause mortality per one-point increase in CCI (P<0.001), death without therapy (P<0.0001), and wasn’t linked with appropriate therapy (P=0.053). “CCI is predictive of mortality following ICD generator replacement,” the authors wrote. “The benefit of ICD replacement in patients with CCI score ≥5 should be investigated in prospective studies.”

Arnin M, et al. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2019;doi:10.1111/pace.13762