Abstract-Significant mortality benefits have been documented in recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs); however, the psychosocial distress created by the underlying arrhythmia and its potential treatments in patients and family members may be underappreciated by clinical care teams. The disentanglement of cardiac disease and device-related concerns is difficult. The majority of ICD patients and families successfully adjust to the ICD, but optimal care pathways may require additional psychosocial attention to all ICD patients and particularly those experiencing psychosocial distress. This state-of-the-science report was developed on the basis of an analysis and critique of existing science to (1) describe the psychological and quality-of-life outcomes after receipt of an ICD and describe related factors, such as patient characteristics; (2) describe the concerns and educational/informational needs of ICD patients and their family members; (3) outline the evidence that supports interventions for improving educational and psychological outcomes for ICD patients; (4) provide recommendations for clinical approaches for improving patient outcomes; and (5) identify priorities for future research in this area. The ultimate goal of this statement is to improve the precision of identification and care of psychosocial distress in ICD patients to maximize the derived benefit of the ICD. (Circulation. 2012;126:2146-2172.)Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements Ⅲ anxiety Ⅲ depression Ⅲ implantable cardioverter defibrillator Ⅲ patient education Ⅲ patient outcomes assessment Ⅲ psychological responses Ⅲ quality of life F or patients who receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary or secondary prevention of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, the initial experiences related to care for cardiac arrhythmias and ICD therapy are often dramatic. This is especially true if the index event is a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Additionally, many patientsThe American Heart Association makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel. Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.This statement was approved by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee on July 26, 2012. A copy of the document is available at http://my.americanheart.org/statements by selecting either the "By Topic" link or the "By Publication Date" link. To purchase additional reprints, call 843-216-2533 or e-mail kelle.ramsay@wolterskluwer.com.The American Heart Association requests that this document be cited as follows: Dunbar SB, Dougherty CM, Sears SF, Carroll DL, Goldstein NE, Mark DB, McDaniel G, Pressler SJ, Schron E, Wang P, Zeigler VL; on behalf of the American Heart As...

The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover why 10 nurses voluntarily left the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at 1 large pediatric hospital in the southwest. Critical theory provided the philosophical framework, whereas action research and Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology provided the methodological framework. Data analysis was conducted using the circular hermeneutic process described by Heidegger and explicated by Diekelmann. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that there is an inescapable and inevitable tension between the human factors and the PICU work environment. Nurses identified the constitutive pattern of unrelieved job stress as the major reason they left the PICU. The multidimensional and interactive environmental characteristics of nature of the job, insufficient resources, and negative perceptions of managers/team leaders contributed to the development of job stress. The results of this study revealed the evidence needed to begin to focus on interventions in the areas of nursing practice, education, and research required, reducing the likelihood of losing more PICU nurses.

This study was undertaken to examine the actuarial survival of endocardial pacing leads in a pediatric population. We prospectively followed 148 children and young adults age 4 months to 38 years. Of these, 58 had normal cardiac anatomy and 90 had surgically corrected congenital heart disease. A total of 213 leads were inserted in these patients. Actuarial analysis showed that at 5 years 76.0% of the pacemaker leads were still in use. The reasons for abandonment included death (10), exit block (8), lead fracture (8), adapter malfunction (7), and other including infection, lead migration, and pacemaker malfunction (12). Excluding deaths, an actuarial survival curve was constructed. Stepwise discriminant analysis and independent measures of association showed a significant difference in lead abandonment when the leads placed in the atrium were compared to those placed in the ventricle (30 vs 5; P < 0.0005). Lead insulating material, cardiac anatomy, and/or indication for pacemaker placement had no statistically significant impact on lead survival.