ICD Decision Aids

Use these decision aids (long and short versions of each) to help guide conversations with patients for whom an ICD is indicated and  being recommended.

These ICD decision aids – for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest and related death – were developed with input from leading experts and patients. They are designed to follow the basic steps of shared decision-making and support patients in making a choice about whether to have an ICD placed or not. 

Each tool explains how an ICD works, what the device can and can’t do, key risks and benefits, lifestyle considerations, answers to common questions, and includes an assessment of individual patient values and preferences.  

You can find the three decision aids and abbreviated versions of each on this page and the patient hub at CardioSmart.com/ICD.