Summary
The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) has been shown to improve survival in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death; however, due to the continuous risk of sudden loss of consciousness during arrhythmia or ICD intervention, they pose a potential risk to other road users while driving. A large number of opinions and recommendations from authorities and medical societies all over the world exist regarding driving restrictions after ICD implantation. This analysis provides an overview of the recommendations on driving restrictions from several countries. Furthermore, the use of the wearable and the subcutaneous ICD are taken into account.
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Abbreviations
- AHA:
-
American Heart Association
- ATP:
-
Antitachycardia pacing
- AUT:
-
Austria
- BASt:
-
Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (German Federal Highway Research Institute)
- CCS:
-
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
- DGK:
-
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie—Herz und Kreislaufforschung e. V. (German Cardiac Society)
- EHRA:
-
European Heart Rhythm Association
- ICD:
-
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- LVEF:
-
Left ventricular ejection fraction
- NYHA:
-
New York Heart Association
- S‑ICD:
-
Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- sVT:
-
Sustained ventricular tachycardia
- VT:
-
Ventricular tachycardia
- WCD:
-
Wearable cardioverter defibrillator
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M. Cooper, T. Berent, J. Auer, and R. Berent declare that they have no competing interests.
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Cooper, M., Berent, T., Auer, J. et al. Recommendations for driving after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and the use of a wearable cardioverter defibrillator. Wien Klin Wochenschr 132, 770–781 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-020-01675-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-020-01675-0