Implantable Cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

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Implantable Cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

An ICD is a device which is made up of computer chips and a small, but long-lived battery in a sealed case which can recognize a problem with heart’s rhythm and supply electric current to normalize heart beats.

Implantable Cardioverter defibrillator

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

ICD is like a pacemaker which is made up of a pulse generator and wires that usually go through a vein into the heart.

ICD is used for treatment of most dangerous rapid heart rhythm like ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Sudden rapid heartbeats originating in the ventricles are the most dangerous arrhythmias. VT and VF can cause sudden loss of consciousness and sudden cardiac death if not treated immediately.

The pulse generator is connected to the wires and is placed in a pocket under the skin.

The main function of an ICD is to detect dangerously fast heart beats, and deliver a potentially life-saving shock to correct that rhythm. ICDs also act as pacemakers and can prevent slow heart rhythms as well.

People with heart muscle damage or “heart failure” have a greater chance of having dangerous fast heart rhythms. Therefore, ICDs are often recommended for people who have reduced LV function (LVEF less than 35%).

ICDs do not prevent heart attacks, which are caused by blockages in blood supply, but do treat abnormal rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

SCA occurs when there is a problem with the heart’s electrical system. The electrical system directs the heart to relax (fill with blood) and contract (pump blood). If the electrical impulses are chaotic or too fast, the heart cannot pump blood effectively. When this happens, oxygen rich blood doesn’t reach the brain, which leads to loss of consciousness. If the heart doesn’t receive an internal or external shock to restore normal rhythm, death will occur within minutes.

Treatments For SCA

  • Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is an abnormal rhythm in the ventricles of the heart. When VF occurs, a defibrillator machine, which sends an electrical current to the heart, is used to restart a normal heart rhythm. Defibrillators can be external (from outside the body) or internal (from inside the body).

  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

    An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an external system that provides an electrical current to restore a normal rhythm. The external shock can be sent to the heart through pads placed on the chest. Wires connect the pads to a small computer that determines automatically whether someone is experiencing a life-threatening arrhythmia, such as VF. If so, the computer will give a voice prompt alerting the person operating the AED that a shock should be delivered. AEDs are available in some public places such as schools, malls and airports. However, not every public space has an AED. Because this is an external device, another person is needed to operate the AED.

  • Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

    A shock can also be delivered to the heart from inside the body by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD has two parts: a generator and leads (wires). The generator is a small device that is surgically placed under the skin in the upper part of chest. The lead (wire) is threaded through a vein and then anchored to the heart. The generator monitors the heart’s rhythm and rate. If the heartbeat is too fast or chaotic, it will deliver electricity through the lead to the heart.

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