They can be turned off if one so chooses. That is done with the computer that programs them. If this is a pacer/ icd, as most of them are, it has a risk of being accidently turned off with a magnet. Magnet is the kryptonite to a pacer/icd. mostly though, these increase quality of life. Mine was the highlight of 2008. It saves my life day after day. I hope his experience is the same.
Yes his ICD can be shut off with a magnet and can be removed. I have had four over the past seventeen years and like Banglamom I owe my life to this little device.
I had a patient last week with a very low EF waiting to get a mechanical heart. All night, I took care of her WISHING she at least had an ICD. It was scheduled for Monday. Unfortunately, she coded before they got. An ICD is a much better alternative because if it doesn't get used, it is not a problem. If it gets used ONCE, it has saved your life. An ejection fraction of <35% is a reason to get one because of the increased rick of ventricular dysrhythmias or especially if there is a history of those dysrhythmias. Often when we get a patient with a defibrillator who is dying from some other reason, it just gets turned off without fanfare. I hope this makes the decision easier. I am all for people getting to say no if they want but it should not be because of thinking of the ICD as too difficult. Blessings to you.