Defibrillator Specialist

What is a defibrillator?

A defibrillator is a device that’s used to supply an electrical pulse to the chest with the intention of “shocking” your heart back into a normal rhythm should your heart stop. 

The external defibrillator has been used successfully for many years by physicians and emergency medical professionals to save lives.

Advanced technology makes it possible to implant a small, internal defibrillator that continuously monitors your heart rhythm. 

When it detects a chaotic or rapid heartbeat that interferes with normal function and critical blood flow through the heart, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) produces an electrical pulse to restore normal heart rhythm.  

What conditions can be treated with an ICD?

ICDs are often recommended for patients who have survived a prior cardiac arrest (heart attack) or to prevent cardiac death in patients with severe heart conditions that have weakened or damaged the heart.

You may benefit from an ICD if you have:

• Ventricular tachycardia
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
• Long QT syndrome

The ICD is clinically proven to help prevent sudden death, even when you’re far from a hospital.

What happens during ICD placement?

The ICD procedure takes place in the hospital in an electrophysiology lab, which is similar to an operating room. 

The device is typically implanted near the left shoulder/collarbone or just under your arm. You’ll receive mild conscious sedation via an IV and local anesthesia to prevent discomfort.

Your cardiac specialist then makes a small incision and locates the vein through which the electrical leads are inserted. The leads are then attached to an ICD which is placed just under the surface of your skin. The procedure generally takes less than an hour.

Recovery is generally quick, but you can expect to spend a night in the hospital for close monitoring before you’re discharged home. You’ll then return to the office 2-3 times a year to have the device checked, sooner should problems arise.

If you’ve been told you may benefit from an ICD, schedule a visit at Premier Cardiology Consultants today. Call or book online.