12. Physicians’ knowledge and attitudes in Saudi Arabia regarding implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy

Abstract

Information is limited regarding the knowledge and attitudes of physicians in Saudi Arabia involved in the referral of patients for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization and defibrillation therapy (CRT-D) devices implantation. As such knowledge is the key to provide the patient with an important treatment, we aimed for its assessment. We conducted personal interviews with physicians involved in treating patients with heart failure. We included all hospitals in Riyadh region that has no cardiac electrophysiology service. Every participant was met in person and received an oral questionnaire that aims to assess basic knowledge about ICD and CRT.63 physicians were met from 13 hospitals (14 consultants and 49 specialist). 41% of participants use ⩽ 35% as the LVEF criterion for ICD referral in patients with cardiomyopathy. 30% of participants use ⩽ 35% as the LVEF criterion for CRT referral. 24% of participants were not aware about CRT as a therapy for patients with heart failure. 50% of the consultants use ⩽ 35% for ICD and CRT referral. 70% of the participants think that ICD may improve heart failure symptoms. 45% of participants who were about CRT do not think that CRT-D may prevent sudden death due to arrhythmia.There is a lack of knowledge with current clinical guidelines regarding ICD and CRT implantation. This finding highlights the need to improve the dissemination of guidelines to practitioners involved in managing patients with heart failure in an effort to improve ICD and CRT utilization.