Cardiac Defibrillator Implantation

The implantable cardiac defibrillator is an electronic device placed in the body to help
people who have life-threatening arrhythmias (heartbeat irregularities). It is a device that
sends an electric shock through the heart muscle to restore a normal heartbeat.
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small device that is implanted under
the skin in the upper chest and connected to the heart with wires called leads.
Many who have survived a cardiac arrest and certain people with a high risk of developing
arrhythmias called ventricular fibrillation or life-threatening ventricular tachycardia are
generally considered candidates for ICD.
The implantable defibrillator can
o Keep track of heart rhythms
o Send out electrical pulses and shocks when needed
o Record heart rhythm
o Record the pulses and shocks the defibrillation device sends out