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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Driving safety among patients with automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators
N J Finch1, R B Leman, J M Kratz
1Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2221.
Objective:
To determine the driving behavior of patients following the placement of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs).
Subjects And Design:
Forty patients with AICDs (33 men, seven women; mean age, 62.7 years) responded to a questionnaire designed to ascertain driving behavior after hospital discharge.
Results:
Despite medical advice never to drive again, 28 patients (70%) resumed driving, with the majority doing so by 8 months after AICD implantation. Of these, 11 (40%) identified themselves as the primary driver in their household. Fourteen (50%) drove daily. Two (7%) were driving and continued to drive during discharge of their AICDs. Twenty-five (91%) reported that they felt comfortable and safe while driving.
Conclusion:
A majority of patients with AICDs continue to drive after a proscription of this activity by health care workers.
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