To determine if an education and support nursing intervention program helped sudden cardiac arrest survivors adjust to the event and to getting an ICD

This study is one of the first large randomized clinical trials of nursing interventions aimed at improving health outcomes after receiving an ICD. Written informed consent was used in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• First time sudden cardiac arrest with ICD implantation during hospitalization, over age 21 years, working telephone in the home, deliverable address for 1 year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receiving an ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest, inability to read, speak, or understand English, no telephone at home or no current address, cognitive or physical impairments that prohibited ability to give informed consent.