Study Of Gender-Related Risk With Some Cardiac Devices

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 06 Nov 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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While ICDs -- implantable cardioverter defibrillators -- are the device of choice to manage abnormal heart rhythms, a new study led by cardiologists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine suggests that women with ICDs fare less well than their male counterparts.

In a retrospective analysis presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2007 (Poster #C148; 3 p.m.), lead researcher Andrea Russo, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, suggested that despite the proven overall effectiveness of the devices, women had a greater risk of dying than men.

Using data from the completed INTRINSIC RV trial, the researchers compared results from 1237 men and 293 women. (The INTRINSIC RV trial, which was completed in 2006, compared dual- and single-chamber ICDs.)

"There is a paucity of data comparing outcome and arrhythmic events in men vs. women with ICDs," said Dr. Russo, who is also Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. "We chose the INTRINSIC RV study because it enrolled the largest total number of women."

The researchers found that women with ICDs required hospitalization and had a higher mortality than men with the device. However, after adjusting for other factors, such as the presence of coronary artery disease, heart failure and medical treatment, these gender differences in outcome were no longer present.

According to Dr. Russo, this means that women may be sicker by the time they receive ICDs. In addition, women appear to be under-treated with medications such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors in this study. On the other hand, she notes, women appeared to be just as likely as men to receive appropriate shocks from their devices for abnormal rapid rhythms from the lower chamber of the heart.

"This research confirms the need for additional studies to learn why there is such a disparity between the sexes," Dr. Russo says. "Then we also can learn which women will most benefit from the devices."

In conclusion, the researchers postulate that the differences may be related to how aging and lifestyle factors affect women and men who receive ICDs. They recommend that additional research focus on gender differences among patients who receive implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Additional study authors are: John D. Day, M.D., Utah Heart Clinic Arrythmia Service, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah; Kira Stolen, Ph.D., Boston Scientific, CRM, St. Paul, MN; Christopher M. Mullin, M.S., The Integra Group, Brooklyn Park, MN; Vinavak Doraiswamy, Ph.D., Utah Heart Clinic Arrythmia Service, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah and Brian Olshansky, M.D., Utah Heart Clinic Arrythmia Service, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.

This study was sponsored by Boston Scientific.

PENN Medicine is a $3.5 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn's School of Medicine is currently ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's survey of top research-oriented medical schools; and, according to most recent data from the National Institutes of Health, received over $379 million in NIH research funds in the 2006 fiscal year. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals -- its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, rated one of the nation's "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multi-specialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.

Source: Nan Myers
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine