Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is also called an ICD. It is a small device that monitors your heart rate and rhythm. Sometimes you may have an arrhythmia 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 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 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 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, congestive heart failure, or coronary artery disease.
- Slow heart rate.
- Ventricular fibrillation. This is an arrhythmia where your heart beats irregularly. The heart cannot function anymore.
- Ventricular tachycardia. This is an arrhythmia when your heart beats too fast. It can cause dizziness, fainting, and sudden death.
How do I get an ICD?
- You will need surgery to get an ICD. Surgery is done in the cardiac catherization lab. 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 is a caregiver that will make you sleepy and comfortable during your surgery.
- Your caregiver will give you intravenous medicine to help you relax. An incision 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.
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.
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