title: Design and implementation of a population-based registry of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) in Ontario.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are scarce population-based data on the use, complication rates, and outcomes of patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to describe the methodology of the Ontario ICD Database, a prospective study of all ICD recipients in Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this registry, web-based data collection will be performed in all patients referred to a cardiac electrophysiologist for consideration of an ICD. The variables included in the database were determined by consensus. Outcomes to be assessed will include defibrillator device therapies (e.g., shock or antitachycardia pacing), morbidity, and death. Preliminary statistics are reported after the first 6 months of data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 208 total variables selected by consensus, 111 (53.4%) were referral/patient characteristics, 12 (5.8%) were implant-related, and 85 (40.9%) were outcome variables. Among 990 referred patients, 902 were accepted, with the following ICD indications: primary prevention (63.3%), secondary prevention (21.6%), and generator replacement (15.1%). The mean (SD) age of patients with implants was 63.9 +/- 12.6 years, and 79% were men. Among accepted ICD patients, 66% had ischemic heart disease, 23% had nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and 11% had other cardiac conditions. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was highly prevalent, with 82% of primary and 44% of secondary prevention patients having LV ejection fraction <or=30%. The perioperative complication rate was 3.69%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Ontario ICD Database will examine defibrillator patient characteristics and clinical and device-related outcomes. Contemporary ICDs are implanted largely for primary prevention, and the majority of these conformed with LV ejection fraction guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5 Canada.
authors.forename: Douglas S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birnie
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crystal
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorian
authors.forename: Lorne J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gula
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janmohammed
authors.forename: Yaariv
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khaykin
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Krahn
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: LeFeuvre
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Pamela M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Slaughter
authors.forename: Zhongliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Alter
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laupacis
authors.forename: Jack V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left