Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• An implantable cardioverter (CAR-d-o-ver-ter) defibrillator (d-FIB-ri-la-ter) is also called an ICD. It is a small device that monitors your heart rate and rhythm. Sometimes you may have an arrhythmia (uh-RITH-me-uh) which is when your heart does not beat normally. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop beating. The ICD will give your heart a jolt (shock) so that your heart will start beating normally again. An ICD can make your heart beat faster if it is not beating fast enough. It can also slow your heart down if it is beating too fast.
  
  
• An ICD is made up of a generator, a programmer, and leads (wires). The generator and the leads will be placed inside you during surgery. The generator has a metal shell with a battery and a small computer inside. The computer monitors your heart rate and rhythm. One end of the lead attaches to the inside of your heart. The other end of the lead is connected to the generator. The generator transmits (sends) information about your heart to the programmer.

Why do I need an ICD?

• Certain conditions where your heart muscle is weakened. These include a heart attack, CHF (congestive heart failure), or CAD (coronary artery disease).
  
  
• Slow heart rate.
  
  
• Ventricular (ven-TRIK-u-ler) fibrillation (fi-bri-LA-shun). This is an arrhythmia where your heart beats irregularly. The heart cannot function anymore.
  
  
• Ventricular tachycardia (tak-ih-KAR-d-uh). This is an arrhythmia when your heart beats too fast. It can cause dizziness, fainting (passing out), and sudden death.

How do I get an ICD?

• You will need surgery to get an ICD. Surgery is done in the operating room. Surgery may be done while you are already a patient in the hospital. You may also come into the hospital in the morning and go home after your surgery. Your caregiver and you will make the decision whether to be partially awake or completely asleep for the surgery. An anesthesiologist (an-iss-thee-Z-all-o-jist) is a caregiver that will make you sleepy and comfortable during your surgery.
  
  
• Your caregiver will give you intravenous (in-truh-V-nus) medicine to help you relax. An incision (cut) will be made in your skin. This incision is usually made below your collarbone. Your caregiver will use a special x-ray to guide and place the leads into your heart. The generator is then placed under your skin. Where the generator is placed is called a pocket. An x-ray will be taken after surgery to make sure the ICD is in the right position.
  
  
• In some cases, the leads of the ICD may be placed on the outside of your heart instead of on the inside. While most ICD's are placed in a pocket under the skin in the shoulder area, some may be placed in a pocket under the skin in the abdomen (AB-duh-men) (belly).

What does it feel like? Once the ICD is in you, you will not feel it watching your heart. You will be able to see and feel the outline of the ICD through your skin. If the ICD notices an abnormal heart rhythm, it may give your heart a shock. This may feel like someone has hit you or you may feel a thump in the chest. If someone is touching you when you get a shock, they will feel a small tingling feeling.

Support: You and your family may feel scared, confused, and anxious after getting an ICD. You may be afraid that the ICD will not work. These feelings are common. Talk about them with your caregiver or with someone close to you. For more information, you may call or write:

• American Heart Association National Center
  7272 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas, TX 75231-4596
  Phone: 1-800-242-8721
  Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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