An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small, battery-operated device. It helps the heart beat normally. ICD implantation is surgery to put an ICD into the chest.
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This procedure is done to correct certain abnormal heartbeats such as:
In some people, abnormal heartbeats can raise the risk of cardiac arrest or sudden death. An implanted ICD can help prevent this.
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will talk about problems that could happen, such as:
Things that may raise the risk of problems are:
The surgical team may meet with you to talk about:
The doctor will give:
After the ICD is in place, it will need to be tested. General anesthesia will be used for this step. You will be asleep.
The area where the ICD is to be implanted will be cleaned. A small incision will be made below the collarbone.
A wire, called a lead, will be threaded through a vein in the upper chest to the heart. X-rays will be used to watch the lead move through the vein to the heart. The signals between the heart and the ICD will be carried on this lead.
A pocket is made in the incision area. The ICD will be implanted into the pocket.
Once in place, the ICD will be tested. This is to make sure it shocks the heart properly. Precautions will be taken to make sure this is a safe process. When the ICD is working properly and in the right place, the incision will be stitched up. A bandage will be placed over the site.
About 1 to 3 hours
Some pain and stiffness around the area is common for a while.. Medicines and home care help.
1 to 3 days
The day after the implant, you will have an ECG and blood tests. The ICD function may be checked again. You may be sedated.
During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection, such as:
There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection, such as:
It usually takes a week or so to recover.
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
Call for medical help right away for:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org
Heart Rhythm Society
https://www.hrsonline.org
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca
Heart and Stroke Foundation
http://www.heartandstroke.ca
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Heart Rhythm Society website. Available at: https://upbeat.org/common-treatments/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator. Accessed August 30, 2021.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/device/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator-icd-16. Accessed August 30, 2021.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). Stanford Health Care website. Available at: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/i/icd.html. Accessed August 30, 2021.
Kamp NJ, Al-Khatib SM. The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in review. Am Heart J. 2019;217:131-139.
Pacemakers. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/device/pacemakers. Accessed August 30, 2021.
Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA Last Updated: 8/30/2021
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