Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator(ICD)

• By
• Daniel McReynolds

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What is it?

• An ICD is an electronic device that constantly
  monitors your heart rate and rhythm.
• If it detects an abnormal heart beat it delivers
  energy to the heart muscle

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Two Parts
Generatorhouses the battery and a tiny computer.
Energy is stored in the battery until it is
needed. The computer receives information from
the leads to determine what rhythm is occurring.
Leadmonitors the heart rhythm, delivers energy
used for pacing, and/or defibrillation.
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Where does it go?

• A small incision is made under the collar bone
• Lead is placed into a vein and guided inside your
  heart chamber
• generator is placed under skin in upper chest and
  attached to the lead(s).

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Does it Hurt?
Most patients say it is like getting kicked in
the chest.
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Who Needs Them?

• people who have had an episode of sudden cardiac
  death or ventricular fibrillation
• people who have had a heart attack and are at
  high risk for sudden cardiac death
• people who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and
  are at high risk

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Warning!

• 50,000 ICDs were recalled by Guidant this spring
  because of malfunctions (two reported deaths so
  far).