This is what they say about pacemakers:
PACEMAKER IMPLANT
Includes box change
Driving must cease for at least 1/52.
Driving may be permitted thereafter
provided there is no other disqualifying
condition.
And ICDs
IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER
DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD) implanted
for ventricular arrhythmia associated
with incapacity
Patients with ICDs implanted for
sustained ventricular arrhythmias
should not drive for:
1) A period of 6/12 after the first
implant
2) A further 6/12 after any shock
therapy and/or symptomatic
antitachycardia pacing (see 3a below).
3a) A period of 2 years if any therapy
following device implantation has
been accompanied by incapacity
(whether caused by the device or
arrhythmia), except as in 3b and 3c
3b) If therapy was delivered due to an
inappropriate cause, i.e. atrial
fibrillation or programming issues,
then driving may resume 1/12 after
this has been completely controlled to
the satisfaction of the cardiologist.
DVLA need not be notified.
3c) If the incapacitating shock was
appropriate (i.e. for sustained VT or
VF) and steps have been taken to
prevent recurrence, (e.g.introduction
of anti-arrhythmic drugs or ablation
procedure) driving may resume after
6/12 in the absence of further
symptomatic therapy.
For 2 and 3a/3c, if the patient has
been re-licensed prior to the event,
DVLA should be notified.
4) A period of 1/12 off driving must
occur following any revision of the
electrodes or alteration of antiarrhythmic
drug treatment.
5) A period of 1/52 off driving is
required after a defibrillator box
change.
Resumption of driving requires
that;
1) The device is subject to regular
review with interrogation.
2) There is no other disqualifying
condition.
IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER
DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD) implanted
for sustained ventricular arrhythmia
which did not cause incapacity
If the patient presents with a nondisqualifying
cardiac event, i.e.
haemodynamically stable nonincapacitating
sustained ventricular
tachycardia, the patient can drive 1/12
after ICD implantation providing all
of the following conditions are met:
•
No fast VT induced on electrophysiological study (RR<
250 msec)
•
Any induced VT could be paceterminated by the ICD twice,
without acceleration, during the
post implantation study.
DVLA need not be notified.
Should the ICD subsequently deliver
ATP and/or shock therapy (except
during normal clinical testing) then
the usual criteria apply and DVLA
should be notified.
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