TY - JOUR T1 - Influence of smoking dosage and chronic obstructive lung disease on the incidence of appropriate therapies and mortality in patients with structural heart disease and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P326 AU - Jens Kreuz AU - Joerg Schwab AU - Georg Nickenig AU - Dirk Skowasch Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P326.abstract N2 - ObjectivesThis study was initiated to explore the influence of smoking dosage and presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) on the incidence of appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) interventions and on mortality.BackgroundPrior studies on ICD patients suggested that nicotine consumption increases the risk of experiencing an appropriate ICD therapy. There is no substantial data regarding the influence of cigarette smoking dosage on overall mortality in such endangered patients.Methods349 patients with structural heart disease equipped with an ICD were included. Every patient answered a questionnaire regarding his smoking status and performed a spirometry and body plethysmography.Results104 patients (30%) suffered from COPD. 58 patients (17%) were current smokers, 196 patients (56%) revealed as former smokerswhile 93 (27%) patients were registered as never smokers. 163 patients (47%) received at least one appropriate ICD intervention during follow up (median 48+/-8 months). Twenty-three patients died during this study (6.6%). There was no association of COPD with the incidence of appropriate ICD therapies or mortality. Smoking dosage revealed as a significant risk factor for both appropriate ICD interventions (hazard ratio (HR) 1.5 for 60 pack years (PY) p=0.04) and mortality (HR 2.3 for 60 PY p=0.02).DiscussionThis study demonstrates a dose related increased risk of smokers for appropriate ICD interventions and mortality. The results of this trail urge a strict nicotine abstinence, especially in ICD patients with a structural heart disease. ER -