[Sexual activity in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients included in cardiac rehabilitation].

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effects of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (CRP) on quality of life and sexual activity levels in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD).

METHOD: A total of 25 patients (22 men and 3 women) were included in a study that consisted of the analysis of any defibrillator discharges, their repercussion on the couple, and the effects of CRP on physical and psychological aspects, and on sexual activity (SA).

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55years (22 to 79). Initially, fear for device discharges was present in all patients. On arrival, 14 patients (56%) did not have any SA: 2 with ages of 69 and 79years; one woman due to severe anxiety; an alcoholic man, and 10 because the ICD had been implanted less than 1 month before. Nine men and two women had restarted SA: 5 of them 5-52months after the implantation, and the other 6, 30days after implantation of the ICD while attending the CRP. At the end of the study, 21 patients had regained SA. Two men had clinical signs of depression and anxiety, with one requiring specialised treatment. Functional capacity improved significantly, 6.5±3.0METs at the beginning of the program and 9.2±3.3METs at the end, with a P<.005. There was only one inappropriate discharge.

CONCLUSIONS: Discharges caused by newest devices have dropped significantly. This fact, together with the action of CRP at physical, psychological, and informative levels, makes it possible to control the dysfunctions in the quality of life and sexuality in patients.