Comparison of results in two implantable defibrillators

The Jewel 7219D was the first non-thoracotomy implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) with biphasic shock capability small enough to be placed in the prepectoral subcutaneous position. Size reduction of ICDs is desirable, but safety and efficacy of smaller devices must be demonstrated. Outcomes of patients treated with the Jewel 7219D defibrillator (n = 1,781) and with its precursor model PCD 7217B (n = 2,637) were compared. To use PCD patients (n = 2,637) as historical (n = 2,574) and concurrent controls (n = 63), statistical adjustments using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model were made. Jewel recipients (n = 1,781) treated in 106 US and 32 non-US centers exhibited similar characteristics including a mean age of 59 years, 78% men, ejection fraction of 34%, history of aborted sudden cardiac death in 41%, and coronary artery disease in 70%. Implantation was completed in 1,777 of 1,781 (99.9%) attempts and success with the first electrode configuration and polarity was 89.5%. Kaplan-Meier cumulative first-year survivals for cardiac and all-cause mortality were 98.5% and 93.3%. Complication-free first-year survival for Jewel implants in prepectoral subcutaneous (n = 582), subpectoral submuscular (n = 366), and abdominal (n = 449) positions did not differ (p >0.05). First-year survival free of pocket-related complications exceeded 98% in all locations. Adjusted cardiac and all-cause first-year mortality, and efficacy in terminating spontaneous tachyarrhythmias did not differ between the 2 device groups. In conclusion, the safety and efficacy of Jewel model 7219D in the prepectoral subcutaneous position are at least equal to either those of Jewel models implanted in different positions or to those of the previously extensively characterized PCD 7217B.