Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
(Also called: implantable defibrillator, ICD)
Purpose
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a treatment option for certain dangerous arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, and for some types of cardiomyopathy. ICDs are also used with patients who are at high risk of developing a dangerous arrhythmia.
An ICD is a small device (about the size of a pager) that is placed surgically into a patient’s chest. It continuously monitors the heartbeat and can deliver an electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythms when needed.
Description
- The doctor explains the details of the procedure and obtains patient consent. Informed consent is required before the procedure can be performed.
- The patient is taken by stretcher to the procedure room.
- A sedative is administered to help the patient relax and local anesthetics are used to numb the areas where any incisions (cuts) are made.
- The ICD wires are threaded through a vein near the chest and guided by X-rays to the heart. The wires are attached on one end to one or both of the heart’s ventricles (pumping chambers).
- A small incision is made on the side of the chest where the ICD will be placed, and the ICD is implanted underneath the skin.
- The loose ends of the wires are attached to the ICD.
- The patient is placed briefly under general anesthesia (the patient will be unconscious).
- The doctor tests the ICD to see if it properly delivers electrical shocks.
- Most ICD patients are discharged the same day.
Patient Instructions
Patient medications are reviewed at the time the implant is scheduled. Generally, the patient needs to stop taking only Coumadin (warfarin) for the procedure.
The patient may not eat or drink after midnight prior to the procedure.
Additional Information
Recovery varies among individuals and may take from several days to weeks.
