Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims May Drive After 3 Months

Waiting the traditional 6-month period to drive after receiving an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator is unnecessary.

Traditionally, there has been a 6-month driving restriction for patients with cardiac arrest who receive an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD). In the 2017 syncope guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society, this waiting time was reduced to 3 months (Circulation 2017; 136:e25). Even so, some state laws lag behind and often list a 6-month driving restriction.

Now, investigators have conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the risk for recurrent arrhythmias and syncope in 721 patients who presented with sudden cardiac arrest and received secondary prevention ICDs at three Canadian tertiary-care centers from 2016 through 2020.

In the first 3 months following recei…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims May Drive After 3 Months

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Reviewing Author