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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): What You Need to Know
Introduction
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device that is placed inside the body to monitor and correct life-threatening heart rhythms. It is often recommended for patients who have a high risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
How Does an ICD Work?
- Monitoring Heart Rhythm: The ICD continuously monitors the heart's electrical activity.
- Detecting Dangerous Rhythms: If the heart starts beating too fast or irregularly (arrhythmia), the device detects it.
- Providing Therapy:
- First, it may try to correct the rhythm using pacing (small electrical impulses).
- If pacing is ineffective, it delivers a shock to restore a normal heartbeat.
Who Needs an ICD?
ICDs are recommended for individuals with: - History of cardiac arrest - Ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia - Severe heart failure (with reduced ejection fraction under 35%) - Certain genetic heart diseases (e.g., Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome)
Life with an ICD
- Regular Check-ups: ICDs need periodic checks to ensure proper functioning.
- Physical Activity: Most people can resume normal activities, but contact sports should be avoided.
- Medical Precautions: Inform healthcare providers about the ICD before undergoing MRI scans or electrosurgical procedures.
- Device Longevity: The battery lasts 5-10 years and will need replacement.
Potential Risks
- Infection at the implantation site
- Lead displacement
- Inappropriate shocks (rare but possible)
Conclusion
An ICD can be a life-saving device for people at high risk of fatal arrhythmias. While there are some risks, it significantly increases survival chances for those with serious heart conditions.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association: Guidelines for Management of Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097320/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29084733/
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(17)31249-3/fulltext
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320108/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.