Predictors of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shocks During the First Year.

The article discusses various predictions of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks using demographic and clinical characteristics. Receiving shocks is a physically painful and emotionally distressing event experienced by those living with an ICD. Past predictors of receiving an ICD shock include inducible monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Inappropriate ICD shocks can be caused by problems associated with the device, such as lead failure, and physical damage to the device.