SummaryBackground: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has proven to be superior to medications in treating potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, resulting in reduced mortality rates. Despite the number of patients receiving this therapy, its psychosocial impact is not well understood.Hyporhesis: The purposes of this paper are (1) to review the available literature documenting the psychosocial impact of the ICD on patients, (2) to hypothesize possible mechanisms for this psychosocial impact, and (3) to suggest clinical risk profiles and indications for psychological consultation.Methods: Electronic and library searches (e.g., MEDLINE, PsychLit) were used to gather studies examining the psychosocial impact of the ICD. Only studies investigating psychosocial outcomes (e.g., psychological distress, quality of life, social and role functioning), either prospectively or cross-sectionally, were admitted into the review. No literature reviews or secondary sources were included.