Increased Likelihood of Arrhythmic Events Associated with Increased Anxiety in Patients with Implanted Cardiac Defibrillators after the Ahar-Varzegan Earthquake in East Azarbaijan, 2012.
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the type and pattern of arrhythmic events following the 2012 Ahar-Varzegan Earthquake among patients implanted with cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) in East Azarbaijan province. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, conducted in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran, 132 patients were enrolled in two comparison groups according to the region of residence i.e., earthquake region (n= 98) and non-earthquake (n= 34) region in 2012. Data were collected for those meeting standard criteria for sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), or supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) and triggered ICD therapies, either shock or anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). The state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) was used to assess general symptoms of anxiety in both groups. RESULTS: =0.08) in the earthquake area. CONCLUSION: In the earthquake area, the mean frequency of VAs increased and they occurred earlier in the earthquake area. The stress of anxiety might have served as a trigger for these events.
Source: PubMed
Institution: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2546204763