An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small, battery-powered device that is connected to the heart. It continuously tracks your heartbeats and treats very fast and life-threatening heart rhythms. In a normal heart, electrical signals tell your heart to pump blood in a certain rhythm. If those electrical signals are disrupted, the rhythm can change. When this happens, your heart may not beat well enough to pump blood to all parts of your body.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small, battery-powered device that is connected to the heart. It continuously tracks your heartbeats and treats very fast and life-threatening heart rhythms. In a normal heart, electrical signals tell your heart to pump blood in a certain rhythm. If those electrical signals are disrupted, the rhythm can change. When this happens, your heart may not beat well enough to pump blood to all parts of your body.Some life-threatening rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, can cause sudden cardiac arrest, leading to death. To prevent this, the ICD gives the heart an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.The device is put under the skin of your chest, in the belly, or near your underarm. Flexible wires, called leads, run from the ICD to your heart.The ICD can also work like a pacemaker, if needed. Sometimes after a shock is delivered, the heart may beat too slowly. The ICD can stimulate the heart to beat faster until the normal heart rhythm returns.You might need an ICD if you have certain dangerous heart rhythms or other medical conditions, like advanced heart failure.Implanting an ICDAn ICD is implanted during minor surgery. Before surgery, you are given medicine to help you relax and to numb your chest. Your healthcare provider makes a small cut in the skin of your chest, in the belly, or near your underarm. The leads are threaded through a vein and into the heart. The ICD box is then placed just under your skin. It's tested, and then the cut is closed. You may go home when your healthcare provider says it's OK.Your provider will give you specific instructions about follow-up care. You may have mild pain, swelling, or tenderness where the ICD sits under your skin, until the area heals. Most people return to their normal life within a few days. But your healthcare provider may advise that you avoid certain activities, such as heavy lifting, until the area heals completely. That usually takes about 6 weeks. It is also important to keep the incision clean and dry to prevent infection.Living with an ICDWhen you get a shock from your ICD, notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible. He or she may need to modify your treatment plan. The ICD keeps a record of your heart's electrical activity, which can help your provider plan your treatment.An ICD shock is often described as a "kick in the chest." It can also be powerful and cause you to fall down. If you feel your heart rhythm changing and think you may get an ICD shock, you should find a place to sit down. Then call 9-1-1.If you are driving when the ICD delivers a shock, you should stop the car immediately and call for help.The battery in your ICD will last about 10 years. You'll need minor surgery to change the battery. In rare cases, the ICD will need to be replaced if it stops working. You may need surgery to replace the leads if they have a problem.Tell all your healthcare providers about your ICD. Always carry an ID card or bracelet with information about your ICD. Medical devices and other equipment with strong magnets or strong electrical fields can disrupt your ICD. Your healthcare provider may give you a list of devices and procedures to avoid.To be safe:Talk with your healthcare provider before having any imaging tests such as an M-R-I. Always tell security screeners that you have an ICD before going through security detectors. Detectors are usually safe for ICDs. But the small amount of metal in the ICD and leads may set off the alarm. Don’t carry a cell phone in your breast pocket over your ICD. Cell phones don't seem to affect ICDs. But it’s best to keep cell phones at least 6 inches away from your ICD. Always contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions about using any equipment near your ICD. Things to rememberYou might need an ICD if you have certain life-threatening heart rhythms.The ICD sends a shock to your heart to reset the rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac arrest.Tell all your healthcare providers about your ICD.What we have learnedMedical devices never disrupt ICDs. True or false? The answer is "false". Some medical devices and other equipment with strong magnets or strong electrical fields can disrupt your ICD.You may need to have the battery in your ICD replaced in about 10 years. True or false? The answer is "true". The battery is changed with a minor surgery.
Date Last Reviewed: 11/01/2020
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