Factors associated with PTSD symptoms in survivors of a life-threatening cardiac event – Results from the LICAD (Living with an Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator) Study

Aims: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors of a life-threatening cardiac event. Methods: A total of 189 survivors of a life-threatening cardiac event (125 men, 64 women) were drawn from the LICAD study treated at the outpatient clinic of the German Heart Center Munich. All patients underwent a psychodiagnostic evaluation. PTSD symptoms were measured by the Impact of Event Scale-R (IES-R) consisting of the three subscales intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal. Patients with values above the upper distribution tertile of the total score were defined…