title: Ethical Dilemmas and End-of-Life Choices for Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices: Decisions Regarding Discontinuation of Therapy.
abstract: It is our belief that a well-designed cardiac device management program should include end-of-life patient and family planning, addressing potential decisions regarding withdrawal of pacemaker and/or implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. Guided by the basic ethical and legal principles outlined in the article, it is the responsibility of the electrophysiologist and other involved health care providers to introduce this topic to patients, provide guidance and resources for decision making, and honor both patient and family requests.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology, University of Toledo Medical Center, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Mail Stop 1118, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA, Blair.Grubb@utoledo.edu.
authors.forename: Blair P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Grubb
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karabin