RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evaluation of the need of elective implantable cardioverter-defibrillator generator replacement in primary prevention patients without prior appropriate ICD therapy JF Heart JO Heart FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society SP 1188 OP 1192 DO 10.1136/heartjnl-2014-305535 VO 100 IS 15 A1 Yap, Sing-Chien A1 Schaer, Beat A A1 Bhagwandien, Rohit E A1 Kühne, Michael A1 Dabiri Abkenari, Lara A1 Osswald, Stefan A1 Szili-Torok, Tamas A1 Sticherling, Christian A1 Theuns, Dominic A M J YR 2014 UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/100/15/1188.abstract AB Objective It is not clear whether patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention should undergo device replacement if they never experienced an appropriate ICD therapy during the first generator longevity. This study evaluated the incidence and predictors of appropriate ICD therapy after device replacement in this specific population. Methods From two large prospective ICD registries, we identified all primary prevention patients who had a first ICD replacement without previous appropriate ICD therapy. Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of appropriate ICD therapy. Results Of 403 primary prevention patients needing first ICD replacement, 275 patients (68%) had not received previous appropriate ICD therapy. Patients without previous appropriate ICD therapy before first ICD replacement (mean age at replacement 62±12 years, 75% male) had a mean follow-up of 86±24 months after the initial implantation and 30±24 months after device replacement. Following replacement, 3-year cumulative incidence of appropriate ICD therapy was 13.7% (95% CI 8.6 to 18.8%). No predictive factors associated with appropriate ICD therapy after replacement could be identified in spite of including seven clinically relevant factors. Conclusions A considerable number of primary prevention patients without previous appropriate ICD therapy before first ICD replacement received appropriate ICD therapy after replacement. As there were no predictors of appropriate ICD therapy after replacement, replacing an ICD is still recommended in all primary prevention patients despite the lack of appropriate ICD therapy during first battery service life.