Keywords:
cardiac arrest;content analysis;implantable cardioverter defibrillator;life perception;nursing;qualitative analysis
Background. The experiences of how patients live with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator are still poorly understood. Only a few qualitative studies have investigated this phenomenon. This paper was undertaken as part of a larger project to evaluate quality of life and psychological well-being in those survivors of cardiac arrest who have received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Aims and objectives. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients perceive their lives during the first year after implantation of the device.