Defibrillator complete system

Procedure Information

What is a Cardiac defibrillator implant?

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators  (ICD) are devices used to monitor your heart rhythm and detect irregular heartbeats. They are small battery-powered devices that are placed in the chest. In addition to monitoring your heart rate, ICD can deliver electric shocks to your heart via one or more wires to fix the abnormal heart rhythm. 

It is crucial to detect and fix abnormal heart rhythms because they, sometimes, can be deadly. ICDs monitor your heart and can stop these abnormal rhythms.

Why would I get ICD implant?

Anyone who had sustained any abnormal heart rhythm like ventricular tachycardia or had a cardiac arrest due to severely abnormal rhythm is a candidate for ICD. Additionally, people with any of the following conditions may benefit from an ICD implant:

• A history of coronary artery disease/ heart attack.
• Any genetic disease that can make your heart beats abnormally. These inherited conditions include long QT syndrome, which, if not treated, can lead to dangerous arrhythmia called torsades de pointes.
• Heart conditions that involve a thickened heart (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) or enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy).

You can think of ICD as the same thing when, in TV shows, you see the hospital workers deliver a shock for an unconscious person. ICD does the same thing whenever it detects that your heart is beating abnormally.

What happens during the procedure?

ICD implant is almost always done with sedatives that relax you but still make you aware of your surroundings. If general anesthesia is done, you will be unconscious during the procedure and won’t remember anything related to it. Talk to your doctor about what to expect. 

ICD implant is usually done using endocardial (transvenous) approach. During this procedure, small incisions are made in your chest where the device and a lead are inserted. The lead will be guided to the heart muscle with the aid of X-ray images. One end of the lead will be connected to your heart, while the other end is attached to a pulse generator. The generator is usually implanted in a pocket created under your skin.

What to expect after the procedure?

The procedure usually takes a few hours with a recovery time of 24 hours. You may also be released on the same day of your procedure, depending on your case and your physician’s opinion. 

You should expect some pain in the incision area. This pain will decrease with time; over-the-counter pain medications can help in the process. Don’t use aspirin or ibuprofen because they can inhibit your platelet aggregation leading to an increased risk of bleeding.

Your doctor will give you some instructions about how to care for yourself to avoid any complications related to the procedure. These will include instructions related to your medications, wound, device care, activity guidelines, maintenance, and follow-up schedule. 

Conclusion

Your ICD has a lithium battery that can last up to years. Your doctor will check the battery life to make sure that your generator is working properly. 

ICDs are the best choice for anyone who has survived a cardiac arrest due to dangerous arrhythmias. An ICD will lower your risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest.  You will receive some short-term and long-term precautions from your doctor. It is essential to strictly follow these rules to make sure your ICD will work properly.

Citations

1- Mayo Clinic: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)