When a person suffers a cardiac arrest in public, the use of an is critical to survival.
: Turning off an ICD does not cause immediate death. It simply ensures that the patient will not receive unnecessary shocks during their final moments.
Although rare, deaths can occur if an ICD fails to work when needed. defibrillator death
Defibrillators (both external AEDs and internal ICDs) are life-saving tools designed to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) by restoring a normal heart rhythm through an electric shock. While they do not directly cause death, "defibrillator death" usually refers to situations where the device is deactivated during end-of-life care, fails due to technical issues, or is unable to stop a terminal cardiac event. End-of-Life & Deactivation
: Healthcare providers can deactivate the shock function electronically or by placing a special clinical magnet over the device. Device Failure & Risks When a person suffers a cardiac arrest in
: Historically, some deaths have been linked to lead failure (broken wires) or pulse generator malfunctions.
: Some deaths have occurred because a device was accidentally turned off, such as during a surgical procedure, and not reactivated. Although rare, deaths can occur if an ICD
For patients with an who are terminally ill or nearing natural death, the device can become a burden rather than a benefit.