Citation

Niewinski P, Jagielski D, Josiak K, Nowak K, Biel B, Tubek S, Walczak T, Szemplinska I, Siennicka A, Banasiak W, Ponikowski P. Pacing Clin. Electrophysiol. 2019; 42(4): 400-406.

Affiliation

Department of Heart Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/pace.13617

PMID

30740756

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Seat belt use is the single most effective means of reducing fatal injuries in road traffic accidents. The presence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) might influence seat belt-related behaviours due to the physical proximity of the seat belt and left subclavian area in which the device is usually implanted. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of improper seat belt use may improve safety of these patients.

METHODS: We performed a prospective study using a structured questionnaire with 120 CIED recipients (age 63.9 ± 10.9 years) attending a pacing outpatient clinic. All study participants were active drivers and predominantly male. The majority of patients (79%) had undergone high-energy device implantation.

RESULTS: We found that 18% of study participants do not fasten seat belts on a regular basis or use the seat belt in an atypical fashion (such as under the armpit). Moderate or high level of discomfort from the interaction between seat belt and CIED was present in 27%, while more than half (51%) was afraid of seat belt-induced CIED damage. In multifactorial analysis, we found the following independent predictors of improper seat belt use: (1) at least moderate level of discomfort at the CIED site (p = 0.02); (2) fear of CIED damage (p = 0.009); and (3) irregular seat belt use prior to CIED implantation (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS: Improper seat belt-related behaviours are common in CIED recipients. They arise from previous habits and from CIED-related physical and psychological factors. Patients' education regarding the importance and safety of proper seat belt use is a priority. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

CRT-D; ICD; pacemaker; seat belts