The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has emerged as an effective and life-saving biomedical device that delivers an electrical shock to terminate potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias in patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. The survival benefits of the ICD may be diminished in a sizable number of patients who develop clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. Women have been identified as an at risk group for psychological distress secondary to cardiac disease. Prior case studies suggest that cognitive-behavioral psychosocial interventions may be effective in reducing distress although there are no studies to date exploring the impact of a group-based psychosocial intervention for female ICD patients. This study is a two phase project in which to examine the patterns of adjustment that women display in response to their ICD and to then test the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention for a female population of ICD recipients. The proposed project will examine the effect of the intervention on a variety of psychosocial (anxiety, depression, social support), physiological (cortisol, shock frequency), and broad health outcomes (generic and disease specific quality of life, arrhythmias). ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31HL083764-01
Application #
7061055
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-L (29))
Program Officer
Czajkowski, Susan
Project Start
2006-04-01
Project End
2009-03-31
Budget Start
2006-04-01
Budget End
2007-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$30,429
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Vazquez, Lauren D; Conti, Jamie B; Sears, Samuel F (2010) Female-specific education, management, and lifestyle enhancement for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: the FEMALE-ICD study. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 33:1131-40
Wrighton, Katharine H; Lin, Xia; Feng, Xin-Hua (2008) Critical regulation of TGFbeta signaling by Hsp90. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:9244-9
Vazquez, Lauren D; Kuhl, Emily A; Shea, Julie Bishop et al. (2008) Age-specific differences in women with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: an international multi center study. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 31:1528-34