Psycho-educational Support Interventions for Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has established superiority in reducing mortality for survivors of cardiac arrest or patients at high risk of sudden death. However, because of the nature of their spontaneous, chronic, and potentiality life-treating condition, patients with an ICD are at risk of developing mild to serious psychological distress. Critical events, such as ICD shocks or ICD recalls may occur, significantly altering the course of individuals’ psychosocial adjustment; a number of studies from different countries demonstrate that patients with an ICD that experience higher emotional difficulties undergo a greater incidence of shock therapy.