N E Goldstein

Dr N E Goldstein, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; nathan.goldstein@mssm.edu

QUESTION

What are potential barriers to discussing deactivation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with advanced illness?

DESIGN

Qualitative focus groups.

SETTING

Outpatient electrophysiology clinic at an academic medical centre in New York City, New York, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

15 patients 30–90 years of age (median age 69 y, 67% men) who had ICDs and were cognitively intact (scores ⩾8 on a mental status questionnaire). Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 focus groups based on ICD implantation and receipt of shock: ICD <1 year and no shock (n = 5), ICD ⩾1 year and no shock (n = 2), and ICD ⩾1 year and shock (n = 8); no participants had an ICD <1 y and shock. All participants were compensated for their time. …