OBJECTIVE: The Copenhagen Outpatient ProgrammE - implantable cardioverter defibrillator (COPE-ICD) trial included patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators in a randomized controlled trial of rehabilitation. After 6-12 months significant differences were found in favour of the rehabilitation group for exercise capacity, general and mental health. The aim of this paper is to explore the long-term health effects and cost implications associated with the rehabilitation programme; more specifically, (i) to compare implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy history and mortality between rehabilitation and usual care groups; (ii) to examine the difference between rehabilitation and usual care groups in terms of time to first admission; and (iii) to determine attributable direct costs.

METHODS: Patients with first-time implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n = 196) were randomized (1:1) to comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation or usual care. Outcomes were measured by implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy history from patient records and national register follow-up on mortality, hospital admissions and costs.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found after 3 years for implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy or mortality between rehabilitation and usual care. Time to first admission did not differ. The cost of rehabilitation was 335 USD/276 Euro per patient enrolled in rehabilitation. The total attributable cost of rehabilitation after 3 years was -6,789 USD/-5,593 Euro in favour of rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION: No long-term health outcome benefits were found for the rehabilitation programme. However, the rehabilitation programme resulted in a reduction in total attributable direct costs.