American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Living with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator increases survival, but the effects of the device on health status, quality of life, and psychological state over time are not clear. ⋯ Patients had improved mental health and reduced psychological distress by 6 months after implantation. Perception of physical health declined during the 4 years after implantation; the role physical subscore of the Short Form 36 indicated significant improvement in functioning at 6 months and a trend toward reduced functioning at 3 and 4 years after implantation.