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A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and their conceptions of the life situation: a qualitative
B Fridlund1, E C Lindgren, A Ivarsson
1Centre for Health Promotion Research, Halmstad University, Sweden. Bengt.Fridlund@ihv.hh.se
Insights
Patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) experience a mix of safety and intrusion. This study explored their life situation, highlighting the need for better support and education for ICD patients and their families.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Patient Experience Research
Background:
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are crucial for managing life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias.
- Limited qualitative research exists on ICD patients' lived experiences, particularly outside the USA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe the life situation of patients with an ICD in south-western Sweden.
- To understand patients' holistic conceptions of living with an ICD device.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative, phenomenographically inspired analysis.
- A strategic sample of 15 patients living with an ICD device.
Main Results:
- Six emergent categories: feeling safe, gratitude, sense of being, social network, future belief, and gained awareness.
- Identified both beneficial and intrusive aspects of living with an ICD.
- Findings highlight the subjective patient experience of ICD therapy.
Conclusions:
- The study underscores the complex psychosocial impact of ICDs on patients' lives.
- Emphasizes the necessity for enhanced support systems for patients and families.
- Recommends further education for healthcare professionals involved in ICD patient care.
Abstract:
The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is today widely used for the treatment of sudden cardiac near-death episodes as a result of malignant ventricular dysrhythmia. After examining the literature, only four descriptive studies, all carried out in the USA, with a qualitative analysis based on ICD-patients' own perspectives on their life situation have been found. The aim of this study was to describe how patients living with an ICD-device in south-western Sweden conceive their life situation. As the focus was on patients' conceptions seen from a holistic perspective, an analysis inspired by phenomenography was employed on a strategic sample of 15 ICD-patients. Six categories emerged: a feeling of safety, a feeling of gratitude, a feeling of being, having a network, having a belief in the future, and gaining awareness. Although the findings cannot be generalized because of the descriptive research design, they illuminate the beneficial as well as intrusive effects of such a device, and emphasize the need for support groups for patients and families as well as further education for personnel in hospital and primary health care.
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