RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patient and spouse acceptance and adaptation to implantable cardioverter defibrillators JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO Cleve Clin J Med FD Cleveland Clinic SP 441 OP 444 VO 57 IS 5 A1 Colette Pycha A1 Joseph R. Calabrese A1 A. Dale Gulledge A1 James D. Maloney YR 1990 UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/5/441.abstract AB Although electrophysiologic devices have been available since 1932 for managing sudden cardiac death, it was not until 1980 that the predecessor to the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator was introduced. Subsequently, questions about psychosocial adaptation have prevented wide acceptance of these devices. To study this issue, 69 patients with treatment-resistant ventricular arrhythmias were sent a questionnaire following cardioverter implantation; spouses also received questionnaires. Of these, 42 patients and 38 spouses completed and returned questionnaires. The questionnaire was designed to elucidate psychosocial adaptation. Results suggest that patients and couples adapt to the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators adequately, but not without some specific reservations.