Driving safety among patients with automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the driving behavior of patients following the placement of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs).


METHODS
Forty patients with AICDs (33 men, seven women; mean age, 62.7 years) responded to a questionnaire designed to ascertain driving behavior after hospital discharge.


RESULTS
Despite medical advice never to drive again, 28 patients (70%) resumed driving, with the majority doing so by 8 months after AICD implantation. Of these, 11 (40%) identified themselves as the primary driver in their household. Fourteen (50%) drove daily. Two (7%) were driving and continued to drive during discharge of their AICDs. Twenty-five (91%) reported that they felt comfortable and safe while driving.


CONCLUSIONS
A majority of patients with AICDs continue to drive after a proscription of this activity by health care workers.
Finch
N J
NJ
Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2221.
Leman
R B
RB
Kratz
J M
JM
Gillette
P C
PC
D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States