Partners more concerned than patients about resuming sexual activity after ICD implantation

ORLANDO, Fla. — Partners of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators have more concerns about resuming sexual activity after ICD implantation than the patients themselves, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

“We can’t just focus on the patient,” Cynthia Dougherty, ARNP, PhD, professor of nursing at the University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, said in a press release. “An intimate partner’s level of comfort is also important for recovery, and their concerns warrant attention from health care providers.”

Cynthia Dougherty

Dougherty and colleagues surveyed 105 couples who had been sexually active 24 months prior to ICD implantation via the Sexual Concerns Inventory at hospital discharge and 3 months thereafter. The mean age of patients was 65 years, 72% were men, 91% were white, mean Charlson comorbidity score was 2.35 and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 32.8%. The mean age of the partners was 63 years, 64% were women, 92% were white and the mean Charlson comorbidity score was 0.74.

For patients, the Sexual Concerns Inventory declined from 6.57 at baseline to 5.17 at 3 months (P = .001), with decreases observed in reports of lack of interest in sex (baseline, 32.4%; 3 months, 27.8%), overprotectiveness of partner (baseline, 22.5%; 3 months, 11.3%), fear of ICD discharge during sex (baseline, 16.5%; 3 months, 6.2%), fear of cardiac arrest because of ICD malfunction (baseline, 12.6%; 3 months, 5.2%) and erectile difficulty (baseline, 27.6%; 3 months, 24.8%).

For partners, the Sexual Concerns Inventory declined from 7.56 at baseline to 5.71 at 3 months (P < .001), with reported decreases in lack of interest in sex (baseline, 25.5%; 3 months, 20.9%), overprotectiveness by patient (baseline, 35.1%; 3 months, 15.9%), fear of ICD discharge during sex (baseline, 20.2%; 3 months, 5.9%) and fear of cardiac arrest because of ICD malfunction (baseline, 25.8%; 3 months, 11.5%).

At baseline (P = .26) and at 3 months (P = .49), there was no significant difference between patients and partners in Sexual Concerns Inventory, according to the researchers.

“This is an issue that patients are often reluctant to discuss and sometimes providers don’t initiate these discussions as part of routine practice. But it shouldn’t be a taboo subject,” Dougherty said. – by Erik Swain

Reference:

Rosman LA, et al. Abstract 11671. Presented at: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Nov. 7-11, 2015; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosure: Dougherty reports no relevant financial disclosures.