Decisional balance among potential implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients: development of the ICD-decision analysis scale (ICD-DAS).

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death is a well-documented public health problem and the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has demonstrated benefit in reducing mortality. Prospective patients must identify and evaluate the ICD's pros and cons and produce a personal decision. The purpose of this study was to create and evaluate a measure of patient-evaluated pros and cons of the ICD, and its relationship to patient decision regarding ICD implantation.