Driving and arrhythmias: implications of new data.
Patients with ventricular arrhythmias are often restricted from driving by their physicians for several months. These recommendations are based more on convention than evidence, due to the paucity of data previously available on the safety of driving in these patients. Over the past few years, however, more data have become available that suggests that it is safe to drive within three months of their ventricular tachyarrhythmia. In this paper, we look at this more recent data and make the suggestion that patients with well maintained cardiac function, no recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (i.e. electrical storm) and no persistent medical condition predisposing them to ventricular arrhythmias should be allowed to resume driving soon after their ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
Bleakley
Jeffrey F
JF
Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. jeff_bleakley@urmc.rochester.edu
Akiyama
Toshio
T
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents