Is gender a risk factor for mortality or appropriate shock in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who have implantable cardioverter defibrillators?

NYHA class 1 or 2, p 0.02, respectively). After correcting for age, gender, use of -blockers, and indication for ICD implantation in a Cox Regression model, advanced heart failure (NYHA class 3,4) remained an independent predictor of inappropriate ICD shocks (Hazard Ratio 2.3, p 0.023). Conclusion: Inappropriate ICD shocks are predominantly due to atrial arrhythmias and are not decreased by the presence of an atrial lead. Advanced heart failure is an independent predictor of inappropriate ICD shocks. Early use of antiarrhythmic drugs or atrioventricular nodal ablation might be indicated in heart failure patients who receive an ICD. The effect of ICD programming on the incidence of inappropriate shocks deserves further investigation.