Description of a nursing intervention program after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Although implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy has been found to be effective in preventing and treating life-threatening arrhythmias, adjusting to the ICD and resuming a normal lifestyle are often difficult. There are few intervention trials reported in the literature to aid in adjustment after receiving a primary ICD.

This article describes the content and structure of a nursing intervention program designed to improve physical functioning and psychologic adjustment after ICD implantation. The nursing intervention program was based on social cognitive theory and the data from a previous investigation covering 7 areas of concern after ICD implantation.

Hospital-based education programs begin the process of recovery after ICD implantation, but they must be supplemented with further interventions to return the patient to baseline physical and psychologic functioning. This is a beginning effort in deriving and testing evidence-based intervention programs for patients with an ICD.