title: Consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association: updated recommendations for driving by patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
abstract: Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have an ongoing risk of sudden incapacitation that might cause harm to others while driving a car. Driving restrictions vary across different countries in Europe. The most recent recommendations for driving of ICD patients in Europe were published in 1997 and focused mainly on patients implanted for secondary prevention. In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of patients with an ICD and in the percentage of patients implanted for primary prevention. The EHRA task force on ICD and driving was formed to reassess the risk of driving for ICD patients based on the literature available. The recommendations are summarized in the following table and are further explained in the document, (Table see text). Driving restrictions are perceived as difficult for patients and their families, and have an immediate consequence for their lifestyle. To increase the adherence to the driving restrictions, adequate discharge of education and follow-up of patients and family are pivotal. The task force members hope this document may serve as an instrument for European and national regulatory authorities to formulate uniform driving regulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Virga Jesse Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium. johan.vijgen@virgajesse.be
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vijgen
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Botto
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camm
authors.forename: Carl-Johan
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hoijer
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Le Heuzey
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lubinski
authors.forename: Tone M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Norekvål
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santomauro
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schalij
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vardas
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical