Sex difference and factors associated with outcome in patients with sustained ventricular arrhythmias.

Objective. To describe gender differences and factors of importance for outcome in patients referred for sustained ventricular arrhythmias. Results. Two hundred and fifty three patients took part in the survey, 126 (20 women) had sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 127 (31 women) had polymorphic VT/ventricular fibrillation. Ischemic heart disease was less common in women than in men (47 vs. 80%). At discharge, an ICD implant was similarly common in women (33%) and men (29%). One hundred and twenty five (65%) men and 37 (79%) women were alive at follow-up, p = 0.08 (median follow-up 53 months). Independent predictors of long-term mortality were: 1) PVT/VF as the presenting arrhythmia, 2) a low ejection fraction, 3) increased QRS duration and 4) diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. The lower proportion of women compared to men being referred for evaluation of sustained ventricular arrhythmias may contribute to the lower number of ICD implants in women. The long-term survival in women and men did not differ significantly.