title: Long-term care of the patient with the atrial defibrillator.
abstract: With an aging population, atrial fibrillation is becoming an increasingly common cause of hospital admission. Patients with recurrent, symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation often require repeated admissions to the hospital for cardioversion. The development of the atrial defibrillator has empowered such patients to take charge of their condition and perform cardioversion on themselves at home. This liberates them from the worry of hospitalization and can increase patient confidence. The implantation of an atrial defibrillator, however, has some disadvantages, and long-term use of the device exposes patients to some of the psychological adaptations that occur in recipients of implantable devices. This article discusses in depth the patient selection process, the implantation procedure, the use of the atrial defibrillator, and problems that can arise during long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Eastbourne General Hospital, Eastbourne, United Kingdom. mitcharj@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Andrew Robert John
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Philip Anthony Roworth
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Spurrell
authors.forename: Lana Elizabeth
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Boodhoo
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sulke
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D011292:Premedication; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012648:Self Care
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents