[Fitness to drive in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices]

The term CIED (cardiovascular implantable electronic devices) merges two groups of devices: pacemakers (PM) and defibrillators (ICD). PMs improve the symptoms of patients with bradycardic disorders, while ICDs reduce mortality in patients with increased risk for sudden cardiac death. However, these patients are still at risk of suffering malignant arrhythmias. Even after implantation of a pacemaker, syncope may occur. If these arrhythmias arise while driving, other individuals could be endangered. Therefore, it is important and obligatory for the treating physician to clarify this issue regarding driving restrictions to all patients, who present an indication for device treatment. The present publication focuses on the principal points of present guidelines and recommendations regarding fitness to drive in patients with cardiac disorders (especially with CIED).