Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyResearch article
Shifting paradigms in ICD tachytherapy deactivation in the final phase of life: eighteen years of perspective
- Records of 1606 ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) patients ... were reviewed
Authors' conclusion
Despite improvements in anticipatory tachytherapy deactivation practices, a plateau has been reached. Many deactivations still occur on the final day of life, underscoring the need for earlier and more proactive counselling. Integrating deactivation discussions into routine care, particularly for heart failure patients, will be essential to ensure patient-centered advanced care planning.
Study context
- Population
- ICD or CRT-D patients who died between 2006 and 2022ICD or CRT-D patients who died between 2006 and 2022
- Participants
- 1,606 participants
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Patient characteristics
male
79%
mean age at implantation
67 ± 10 years
mean age at death
73 ± 10
Further findings
Causes of death
- Heart failure
- 32%
- Malignancy
- 15%
Anticipatory tachytherapy deactivation
- Patients with anticipatory tachytherapy deactivation
- 42%
Trend in deactivation rates · 2006–2022
- Annual increase in deactivation rates, 2006 to 2014
- 5.2%
- P, 2006 to 2014
- P < 0.001
- Plateau, 2015 to 2022
- P = 0.403
Timing of deactivation
- Among deactivations, occurred on the final day of life, mainly during hospitalization
- 33%
- share of deactivations, not of all patients
Original publication
Shifting paradigms in ICD tachytherapy deactivation in the final phase of life: eighteen years of perspective. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 4 March 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcag038
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it