Quality of life of patients with implanted cardiac devices : a transversal study

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the quality of life (QL) of patients with implanted cardiac devices and describe the recognition of electromagnetic sources, and symptoms, in the event of failure of the device. Method: This is a transversal study that used the SF-36 questionnaire and an instrument developed to observe other variables. Results: The research included 56 patients, 58±13 years of age, predominantly male. In relation to QL, scores were: functional capacity = 58±26; pain = 65±32; vitality = 58±26; social aspects = 72±31; mental health = 69±26; physical aspects = 12.5(0-50); emotional aspects = 33(0-100); general health status = 49±25. The majority of the patients (91%) know that the device could suffer from interference. Conclusion: The sample of this study showed low QL scores in physical and emotional aspects, and in general health status. Besides that, patients were aware that the devices could suffer from magnetic interference, but they could not name the main sources of that interference.