OBJECTIVE: To describe gender differences and factors of importance for outcome in patients referred for sustained ventricular arrhythmias. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty three patients took part in the survey, 126 (20 women) had sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 127 (31 women) had polymorphic VT/ventricular fibrillation. Ischemic heart disease was less common in women than in men (47 vs. 80%). At discharge, an ICD implant was similarly common in women (33%) and men (29%). One hundred and twenty five (65%) men and 37 (79%) women were alive at follow-up, p =0.08 (median follow-up 53 months). Independent predictors of long-term mortality were: 1) PVT/VF as the presenting arrhythmia, 2) a low ejection fraction, 3) increased QRS duration and 4) diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The lower proportion of women compared to men being referred for evaluation of sustained ventricular arrhythmias may contribute to the lower number of ICD implants in women. The long-term survival in women and men did not differ significantly.