THE IMPACT OF DEFIBRILLATOR DISCHARGES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR RECIPIENTS

A lag exists with respect to our understanding of the psychological de mands and rehabilitation needs of individuals who have undergone impla ntable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. The ICD is desig ned to transmit an electric shock to the heart to treat a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. This study specifically examined the impa ct of defibrillator discharges on the psychological functioning of ICD recipients. A questionnaire was self-administered to 33 individuals w ho have been living with the ICD for at least 6 months. Results reveal ed that levels of anger and depression were significantly higher in th ose subjects who reported a lower discharge rate while sense of well-b eing was significantly higher in those subjects who reported a greater discharge rate. Possible explanations for our findings were proposed as well as implications for clinical intervention were discussed.