Patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator: a new challenge.

The AICD has become the "gold standard" of tachydysrhythmia management. Since its approval in October 1985, nearly 12,000 patients have been implanted with the device (statistic from Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., February 15, 1990). The use of this device is expected to increase for patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. Future device technology is advancing rapidly with the addition of more programmable options, such as shock energy output and a programmable delay feature for nonsustained VT patients. Both of these options currently are incorporated into a clinical investigational device, the VENTAKP. The emergency nurse must be aware of the device's specific operation and be prepared to interact safely and effectively to assist the AICD patient.