When should discussions about ICD deactivation take place?
ICD recipients felt that discussions should be initiated early, preferably pre-implant and while they are still cognitively intact. They wanted the issue to be described to them fully, so that they were aware of the issues around deactivation, but did not have to make any decisions at that point. Patients did not feel it was appropriate to have discussions about ICD deactivation at the end of life when death was imminent. Healthcare professionals felt that deactivating ICDs was unlike any other decisions they had to make, and so it was difficult for them to know when discussions should take place. They felt that ICD deactivation was not discussed early enough, which meant devices were not deactivated in time. They also felt there was a lack of forward planning in the community.