Increasing numbers of people with cardiovascular disease are requiring the insertion of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs). Although these devices are an effective life-saving treatment, psychological distress sometimes accompanies their insertion. A qualitative approach was used to explore the experiences, concerns and needs of recipients of the device in Western Australia. Twenty-two tape-recorded interviews were carried out and transcribed verbatim. This paper focuses on the physical and psychological adjustments following the insertion of the device. A central theme of 'getting on with it' used to cope with the permanency of the device was identified. This was an approach to life in which the presence of the device was accepted and then put aside while life was continued and optimized. This study provides directions for the identification of persons who might be experiencing difficulties adjusting, or who are taking extended amounts of time to accept the permanency of the device.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-172X.2007.00622.x | DOI Listing |
Eur J Heart Fail
January 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aims: Guidelines recommend immediate initiation of all four class I guideline-directed medical therapies, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) following the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The extent to which this occurs in new-onset HFrEF is unclear. We assessed guideline-recommended therapies during the first year following a HFrEF diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Cardiol
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Background: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) remains the cornerstone in the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Cost-effectiveness depends on survival after implantation. In Belgium there are unexplained major differences in 3-year mortality after ICD implantation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Coll Cardiol
November 2024
Electrophysiology Laboratory and Arrhythmia Unit, Centro Integral de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Hospital Monteprincipe, Grupo HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:
Background: The results of ablation of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) are suboptimal. For many patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), ICD electrograms (ICD-EGs) provide the only available information on SMVT. ICD-EGs have the ability to distinguish morphologically distinct SMVT and can be used for pace mapping.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Med
December 2024
Venous Thromboembolism Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain.
Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a frequent and potentially serious complication associated with the widespread use of intravascular devices such as central venous catheters, including peripherally inserted central catheters and implantable port systems, pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Although CRT management has been informed by guidelines extrapolated from lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), unique challenges remain due to the distinct anatomical, pathophysiological, and clinical characteristics of upper extremity DVT. Risk factors for CRT are multifactorial, encompassing patient-related characteristics such as cancer, prior venous thromboembolism, and infection, as well as catheter-specific factors like device type, lumens, and insertion site.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Med
December 2024
Department of Invasive Cardiology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major global health concern and represents one of the most common causes of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is an innovative, non-invasive medical device designed to provide continuous heart monitoring and immediate defibrillation in patients at risk for SCD. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of WCD usage in patients awaiting decision on therapy with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
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