Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

1. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator(ICD) By Daniel McReynolds

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. Does it Hurt? Most patients say it is like getting kicked in the chest.

6. 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

7. Warning! • 50,000 ICD’s were recalled by Guidant this spring because of malfunctions (two reported deaths so far).