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Implantable Cardioverter - Defibrillators
Implantable cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are small electronic devices
implanted to treat dangerously fast heartbeats that can lead to sudden cardiac
arrest, in which the heart stops pumping blood. ICD's are typically about the
size of a phone pager with long lasting durable batteries. Replacing an ICD can
be done as an outpatient procedure, and restrictions following surgery are not
as stringent as with the initial implant. They are implanted under the skin of
your chest, near the left collarbone, with wires running to the heart.
Implantable cardioverter Defibrillators monitor and deliver electrical shocks to
the heart as necessary to eliminate abnormal rhythms. For a heartbeat that is
too slow, they work as a pacemaker and sends electric signals to the heart. For
a heartbeat that is too fast, it sends defibrillation shocks to stop the
abnormal rhythm. These devices work 24 hours a day 7 days a week and are
individually programmed. ICDs can also be programmed using radio waves so that
they can be adjusted externally. There are approximately 250,000 to 270,000
patients in the United States have implantable defibrillators. Please contact
your physician for further information on whether you qualify as a candidate for
an ICD.
If you or someone you know has an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators, here
are some general health safety guidelines:
Always consult your physician prior to any strenuous activities and visit your
physician on a regular basis.
If you travel by air inform the security forces prior to being scanned by any
hand held security scanners.
Avoid any strong magnetic fields including any concentration of magnets.
Communicate with and inform all medical personal about your condition, verbally
and with an ID card letting others know that you have an implantable
defibrillator.
Related Health Care Products:
Defibrillators
Types of Defibrillators
Automated External Defibrillators
Implantable Cardioverter
Defibrillator Manufacturers / Resources
Related Health Care Information:
Defibrillation History
Heart Information
Yes - this is a hard one to spell correctly! Med students take note. Here are some common attempts:
defib,
defibrillator,
defibrillater,
defribulator,
defibrulator,
defibulator,
difibrillator,
difibulator,
difribulator,
defribulator,
defribrillator,
defibrilator
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