Psychological Support for Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Cognitive behavior therapy tailored to psychological adaptation to an ICD, included 8 telephone counselling sessions, plus psycho-educational booklet and a therapist manual.

Usual cardiac care (UCC) was defined as whatever the respective ICD treatment sites routinely offer their patients. All patients received standard educational materials explaining their heart disease and the ICD device. Follow-up appointments include device interrogation (i.e., to extract arrhythmia events and ICD therapies) and trouble-shooting at 6-months intervals, cardiac care as necessary, and nonsystematic supportive reassurance delivered informally in the clinic. Each centre also had access to a cardiac rehabilitation program and psychiatric consultation as needed.