ICD deactivation: review of literature and clinical recommendations.
Implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are an essential part of the management for patients at risk for life threatening arrhythmias. Despite new technologies, all patients ultimately will reach the end of their lives, either because of underlying cardiac disease or another terminal illness. Having an ICD at the end of life may deny a patient the chance of sudden cardiac death and result in a slower terminal disease and pain and anxiety due to shocks from their device. The purpose of this article is to present a focused literature review on the barriers surrounding deactivation of ICDs and to summarize the recommendations of the Heart Rhythm Society Consensus Statement on the management of ICDs in patients nearing end of life or requesting withdrawal of therapy.
St Louis University, School of Nursing, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. jthanava@slu.edu
Joanne L
JL
Thanavaro
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013727:Terminal Care