Veteran-centered decision support for implantable defibrillators (ICDs)
Official title: Development of a Veteran-Centered Approach to ICD Decision-making in the VA
Funded at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · NIH-11193218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project creates tools and conversations to help Veterans understand the risks, benefits, and emotional effects of getting or keeping an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2HX003253-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans facing a decision about ICD implantation, replacement, or deactivation who receive care at participating VA facilities.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not have a clinical indication for an ICD or who require immediate emergency implantations are unlikely to benefit from the decision-support tools.
What this research studies
You would be asked to help design and test materials and communication approaches that explain what an ICD does, its risks and long-term maintenance, and possible psychological effects like anxiety or PTSD from shocks. The team will work with Veterans and VA clinicians to develop decision aids (for example booklets or brochures) and train providers in shared decision-making. These tools will be tried in VA clinical settings, with feedback gathered from Veterans to refine the materials and follow-up processes. The goal is to support choices that match each Veteran's values and treatment preferences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help Veterans make choices that better match their goals, reduce confusion about ICDs, and lower unwanted procedures or distress from device shocks.
How similar studies have gone: Decision-aid approaches in other cardiology settings have improved patient knowledge and satisfaction, but a Veteran-centered, VA-wide approach addressing PTSD and long-term device concerns is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sandhu, Amneet — VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Sandhu, Amneet
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.