The Psychological, Social, and Quality of Life Outcomes of People with a Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device: An Umbrella Review

Mitchell Nicmanis; Anna Chur-Hansen; Melissa Oxlad

doi:10.1093/eurjcn/zvad133

The Psychological, Social, and Quality of Life Outcomes of People with a Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device: An Umbrella Review

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2023 Dec 21:zvad133. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad133. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mitchell Nicmanis¹, Anna Chur-Hansen¹, Melissa Oxlad¹

Affiliation

¹ School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia.

PMID: 38126134
DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad133

Abstract

Aim: To synthesise the psychological, social, and quality of life outcomes of people with a cardiac implantable electronic device.

Methods and results: An umbrella review of systematic reviews that reported the psychological, social, or quality of life outcomes of adults with a cardiac implantable electronic device was conducted. This umbrella review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42023437078) and adhered to JBI and PRISMA guidelines. Seven databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Emcare, Psycinfo, PubMed, and the Web of Science) were searched alongside citation and bibliographic searches. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Checklist of Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses. Due to the heterogeneity of included reviews, findings were reported narratively. Fourteen systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria; eleven considered quality of life and three considered psychological outcomes. Little difference in quality of life was found between people with an implantable-cardioverter defibrillator and controls, however, a high prevalence of psychological disorders was present. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices demonstrated improvements in quality of life compared to control groups, alongside possible cognitive benefits. Quality of life did not differ between subcutaneous and transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Pacemakers were associated with improved post-implantation quality of life.

Conclusion: Research on the psychosocial and quality of life outcomes of people with a cardiac implantable electronic device is limited and inconsistent. Given the heterogeneity of current research, conclusions are uncertain. Nevertheless, some recipients may experience adverse psychosocial complications. Further research employing rigorous methodologies is needed and healthcare practitioners should provide care that acknowledges the potential for adverse psychosocial experiences.

Registrations: PROSPERO (CRD42023437078).