Perceptions and experiences of patients living with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

Abstract

BackgroundSudden cardiac deaths have become a growing major public health concern that affects the world. Despite the various etiologies, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias attribute the main cause of sudden cardiac deaths. Therefore in certain groups of high-risk patients, the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) has been recommended as either a secondary or primary prophylactic method of prevention.ObjectiveTo summarise the perceptions of ICD recipients and provide an overview of their experiences with regards to the quality of life, coping strategies, and learning needs.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Primary research articles published from January 2005 to January 2016 that met the inclusion criteria were selected and assessed for methodological quality.ResultsThirty-nine articles consisting of 16 qualitative studies, 22 quantitative studies, and 1 mixed methods study were included for the meta-synthesis. Findings extracted from these studies were grouped into eight subthemes with ‘living the ICD experience: a constant process of redefining oneself’ emerging as an over-arching theme.ConclusionThis review provides insight into the perspectives and experiences of ICD recipients. Current evidence highlights the need for healthcare professionals to improve future care standards and develop a patient-centric holistic program that meets the specific needs of ICD recipients. Moreover, future studies are required to address the research gaps identified and also explore the perceptions of patients living with ICD in the Asian context.

Body image concerns in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A scoping review

“…The meta-synthesis is not included in these percentages. 16 In the quantitative studies, we found 50% (12/24) studies using U.S. samples, 41.7% (10/24) using European samples, 4.2% (1/24) from Japan, and 4.2% (1/24) conducted in both USA/Australia. For an overview of the search process, see the PRISMA flowchart ( Figure 1).…”

“…Table shows 15 of the 16 qualitative studies included in the scoping review. We found one systematic review that included qualitative studies . We excluded this review as all the qualitative studies were already listed in Table .…”

“…Qualitative studies provide a more in‐depth and detailed exploration of the individual patient's experience and comprise an important source of information, in particular with respect to informing future research in fields that are underdeveloped as the included qualitative studies in relation to body image concerns …”

“…We found 46.7% (7/15) qualitative studies using U.S. samples and 46.7% (7/15) using European samples, while 6.7% (1/15) was from Japan. The meta‐synthesis is not included in these percentages . In the quantitative studies, we found 50% (12/24) studies using U.S. samples, 41.7% (10/24) using European samples, 4.2% (1/24) from Japan, and 4.2% (1/24) conducted in both USA/Australia.…”

“…We found one systematic review that included qualitative studies. 16 We excluded this review as all the qualitative studies were already listed in Table 1. One of the studies also focused on family Individual interviews.…”