Question

A controversial new device, the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), was used in a clinical trial to determine if it improved survival for heart-attack patients over the standard drug treatment. The trial provided the following information: Two years after the first heart attack, 85 percent of the ICD patients were still alive, compared to 70 percent of the drug treatment group. No additional data were available after the 24-month trial.

1. What is your best guess on survival probability after the trial is over?
2. Calculate the improvement in life expectancy during the trial. What is your best estimate of improved life expectancy after the trial?
3. Graph the mortality function for both the ICD group and the drug-therapy group.
4. What is the difference in life expectancy between the two groups?

Answer 1

a. What is your best guess on survival probability after the trial is over?

Based on high-quality data during CTs, this analysis finds that primary prevention ICDs reduce all-cause mortality in patients with heart-attack increasing their survival rate upto 85 percent even after two years. But further years data if it is there it gives a good clarity of the survival rate and their therapeutic implication in the treatment of the heart attack.

b. Calculate the improvement in life expectancy during the trial. What is your best estimate of improved life expectancy after the trial?

life expectancy increases are associated with survival rate and it was observed by the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) which reduced the mortality rate. Survival for long years gives the best estimate

c. Graph the mortality function for both the ICD group and the drug-therapy group.

Mortality rate for ICD : 15 Percentage

Mortality rate for drug-therapy group : 30 Percentage

d. What is the difference in life expectancy between the two groups?

The life expectancy is increased in case of patients with the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) to about 85 percent compared to the patients with drug therapy (it has survival rate of only 70percent)