Care of Patients With an Implanted Cardiac Device

Information on reducing mortality with device therapy in patients with heart failure but no ventricular arrhythmias is important for nurses who are familiar only with the use of implanted devices to treat arrhythmia and manage heart rate. Additionally, this information is important for nurses whose focus is not primarily cardiac patients but who may interact with patients who have a secondary cardiac diagnosis. It is essential for nurses to understand the purpose of the implanted cardiac devices when assessing patients who have such devices.