FOR APPs & PRIMARY CARE CLINICIANS
Pacemakers, ICDs & CRT — Quick reference
First steps, urgent findings, referral guidance, and handoff essentials.
First steps
Identify device type, implant indication, pacing dependence, last interrogation, remote-monitoring status, symptoms, and battery information.
Recognize the urgent patient
Repeated ICD shocks, shock with persistent symptoms, suspected serious device infection, or instability needs acute assessment.
When to refer
Coordinate with the device/EP team for symptoms, alerts, battery depletion, lead concerns, or procedural planning.
What to send with the referral
Device card; implant history; interrogation/alert report; symptoms; medication list; planned procedure details if relevant.
Avoid this pitfall
Remote monitoring is not an emergency service. Pacemakers, ICDs, and CRT provide different functions.
Reviewed October 11, 2026. This quick reference summarizes the linked guide; use the full guide for context and clinical references.