Motor Vehicle Driving-Related Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Defibrillators

Background: Reducing anxiety about motor vehicle driving in patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators is important not only for improving quality of life but also for preventing vehicle collisions owing to driver distraction. This study aimed to clarify the driving-related anxiety of patients with these defibrillators and the factors that predict such anxiety.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire of patients who had been driving a vehicle after device implantation at a general hospital between August 2018 and November 2019.

Results: The mean age was 60.8 ± 12.6 years. The reasons for implantation were primary prevention in 47 patients and secondary prevention in 30 patients. A total of 16 patients experienced anxiety about driving and 61 did not. Significantly more younger patients (mean age of 50.4 vs. 63.6 years, p < 0.001) and those with implantable cardioverter defibrillators had anxiety (100% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis indicated that age was the only independent factor that predicted driving-related anxiety (odds ratio, 0.937; 95% confidence interval, 0.883-0.993).

Conclusions: Identifying and addressing driving-related anxiety in patients (particularly young patients) with defibrillators is important in preventing motor vehicle collisions and improving quality of life.