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Psychologists Deirdre Holly and John Sharp assess the psychological effects of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Their systematic review reveals that anxiety and depression are common amongst the ICD patient population…

Over 30 years ago the first implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was deployed in man. Since, millions of devices have been implanted worldwide and “innumerable lives have been saved”.¹ There have been many challenges on the way and a number of significant limitations remain.

Dr Jay Wright, Consultant Cardiologist, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, spoke to Arrhythmia Watch on the psychological difficulties for implantable device (ICD) patients. He emphasises the need for counselling patients, and telling them the risks as well as benefits of ICDs. Dr Wright also stresses the importance of preventing the various causes of inappropriate shocks, for example noise interference, calling for evidence from large scale studies, such as ‘PainFREE’, to prove whether the Protector™ devices and therapy range improves things…

A replacement cap for all major insulin pens (Timesulin®) was unveiled recently at the FEND Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The cap has a built-in timer, telling the user exactly how much time has passed since their last insulin injection.

A novel test can use a single spot of blood to determine how much medication is in the body, in order to monitor patients suffering with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The test has been pioneered by doctors from De Montfort University, Leicester.

High levels of pollution could increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) for up to six hours after exposure, finds research published recently on bmj.com.¹ However, the researchers found no increased risk after the six hour time frame. 



The European Society of Cardiology, through the European Chronic Disease Alliance (ECDA), has urged European heads of state “to show leadership” and long-term commitment to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases at a recent high level meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York.¹

‘Is it time to redefine ICD therapy? The importance of reducing shocks’ , is a Powerpoint presentation which you can download and use for educational purposes.

Up to 80% of sudden cardiac death (SCD) amongst women could be attributable to unhealthy lifestyle practices, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.¹

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended restricting the use of Multaq. The anti-arrhythmic medicine should only be prescribed for maintaining heart rhythm in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) for the maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion, they say.