Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in the elderly

Background The elderly are often underrepresented in ICD trials and evidence of ICD relevance in patients ≥ 75 years is not clear. Objective We aimed to evaluate the complications, and the rate of appropriate therapy in this population. Methods This monocentric case-control study included ICD recipients ≥ 75 years (cases) matched with ICD recipients  Results A total of 363 patients were enrolled: 121 cases (78 yo 82.6% male; primary prevention 74.4%; CRT 51.2%) and 242 controls (mean age 66. yo). The mean follow was 3.7 ± 3.5 years. The elderly had longer PR interval (210 ± 44 vs. 196 ± 38; P  Conclusion In our study, the elderly population had very few comorbidities. ICD implantation was associated with a higher rate of appropriate therapy in the elderly group compared to youngsters without excess in inappropriate therapy.