Open AccessDecision-Making of Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators at End of Life: Family Members’ Experiences
Author(s) -
Mei Ching Lee,
Daniel P. Sulmasy,
Joseph J. Gallo,
Joan Kub,
Mark Hughes,
Stuart D. Russell,
Anela Kellogg,
Sharon G. Owens,
Peter B. Terry,
Marie T. Nolan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the american journal of hospice and palliative care/the american journal of hospice and palliative care (online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1938-2715
pISSN - 1049-9091
DOI - 10.1177/1049909116641622
Subject(s) - medicine , conversation , palliative care , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , advance care planning , health care , medical emergency , nursing , family medicine , psychology , communication , economics , economic growth
Many patients with advanced heart failure (HF) experience the life-extending benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), but at the end stage of HF, patients may experience shocks with increasing frequency and change the plan for end-of-life (EOL) care including the deactivation of the ICD. This report describes family members' experiences of patients with ICD making decisions at EOL. Understanding the decision-making of patients with ICD at EOL can promote informed decision-making and improve the quality of EOL care.