AHA Scientific Statement Educational and Psychological Interventions to Improve Outcomes for Recipients of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Their Families A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

—Significant mortality benefits have been documented in recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillators(ICDs); however, the psychosocial distress created by the underlying arrhythmia and its potential treatments in patientsand family members may be underappreciated by clinical care teams. The disentanglement of cardiac disease anddevice-related concerns is difficult. The majority of ICD patients and families successfully adjust to the ICD,...