he implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has revolutionized the care of patients at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias. Large-scale clinical trials established mortality benefits for the ICD over usual care or medications 1,2 and led to wider use for both primary and secondary prevention indications. More recent research confirms that the mortality benefits of the ICD extend over 8-year follow-up when compared with usual care. 3 These clinical trial successes, in terms of mortality, have allowed for greater focus on patientcentered outcomes, such as quality of life, device acceptance, psychological well-being, and trauma reactions in research and clinical care. 4 Shock has been a primary focus in this work because of its potentially traumatic impact on the patient experience. Although there is mixed evidence on the effect of single ICD shocks, 5,6 the literature consistently supports the negative impact of Ͼ5 shocks on quality of life and emotional distress. 7,8 ICD shock has been a focus of research interest because it is a unique experience for the ICD patient and can be perceived as a traumatic event. In addition, the existence of concomitant heart disease, angina, congestive heart failure, or previous sudden death may create sensitivity to traumatic stress that warrants improved understanding by attending electrophysiologists. Although psychological distress in ICD patients has been explored, the possibility that some ICD patients have trauma reactions, up to and including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has garnered increased attention recently. Therefore, the purposes of this report are to highlight the theory and research addressing psychological distress including PTSD in electrophysiology clinics, to discuss clinical management of these sequelae, and to suggest areas of future research and development. Psychosocial Distress of ICD Patients in Electrophysiology ClinicsPrevention and identification of distress in ICD patients represents comprehensive, high-quality care, regardless of the cause (eg, depression, anxiety, trauma), consistent with the biopsychosocial model of care. 9 This model of care entails the conceptualization and treatment of health problems as an interplay between biological factors, psychological factors, and social factors culminating in the manifestation of symptoms. For an electrophysiologist, these ambitious goals can include prevention of distress through cardiac care and education, recognition of distress warranting referral, optimizing quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes, and promoting patient acceptance of the ICD. Clearly, these are not easily accomplished without sufficient awareness, clinical support, and interdisciplinary expertise. Below are some key considerations for daily clinical practice. Prevalence and Impact of Psychosocial DistressGeneral or ICD-specific anxiety as a psychological morbidity has a point prevalence of 13% to 38% of ICD recipients in cross-sectional research. 4 Longitudinal assessment of anxiety has indicated that approximately 35% of pati...

Background:The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) reduces mortality in patients at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias via high energy shock. The Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS) was developed to measure ICD patient shock-related anxiety. Initial psychometric evaluation revealed good reliability and validity. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometrics of the FSAS in a large US sample of ICD patients.Methods: Participants were recruited via e-mail and the survey was completed online. Ultimately, 443 ICD patients (359 male and 421 White) completed the 10-item FSAS.Results: Means for FSAS were comparable to previously published data (M = 15.18, SD = 6.5). Interitem reliability was good (Cronbach's α = 0.89). The FSAS was negatively correlated with single-item measures of emotional well-being (r = -0.378, P < 0.01), sense of security (r = -0.365, P < 0.01), perceived general health (r = -0.185, P < 0.01), and quality of life (r = -0.216, P < .01), demonstrating discriminant validity. Convergent validity was supported through significant correlations with number of shocks (r = 0.464, P < 0.01) and reported disruptiveness of shock (r = 0.484, P < 0.01). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a single (second-order) factor model (χ 2 [34] = 75.34, P < 0.05, comparative fit index = 0.98, root mean-square error of approximation = 0.05) had the best fit.Conclusions: Shock anxiety as a construct can be measured in a reliable and valid method by the FSAS. These nationally representative data suggest that a single score for shock anxiety is an easy to use and appropriate method of assessment. (PACE 2012; 35:1146-1153 implantable cardioverter defibrillator, anxiety, psychometrics, assessment, psychosocial

The innovation of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) represents a modern medical achievement with substantial life-saving benefits for patients at risk for potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Over a decade of research resulted in the first ICD implantation in 1980, dramatically changing the face of cardiac care. The introduction of the device was met by skepticism and outright rejection by some, yet large-scale clinical trials clearly demonstrated the mortality benefit of the ICD. Today, specific challenges for this technology have emerged, including barriers to individual and social acceptance of the ICD as a viable form of technology, as well as psychosocial adjustment difficulties and fears in patients. To address these challenges, scientific research, improved communication regarding devices and psychosocial interventions have been developed and extended to this patient population. As such, it is hypothesized that the future will hold expanding indications for ICD implantation, while further meeting patients' medical and psychosocial adjustment needs. The purposes of this paper are to review the history of ICD innovation, describe past and present research on psychosocial adjustment to the ICD, and corresponding psychosocial interventions, analyze individual and social acceptance and utilization of device technology, and forecast future applications and developments of the ICD.

This study provides further evidence that CR offers psychosocial benefit for women, as has been reported in several small clinical samples. Some notable gender differences on anger and relationship satisfaction were observed. Clinical attention may be warranted to facilitate improvement for symptoms of anger and relationship concerns among selected women who participate in CR.