An ICD is a small device, similar to a pacemaker, that can treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms. It sends a larger electrical shock to your heart to get it pumping again.
Some devices contain both an ICD and a pacemaker.
A battery-powered electronic circuit called a pulse generator and one or more pacing leads make up an ICD.
There are two basic types of ICD:
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is connected to your heart with thin wires. It continuously checks your heart rhythm and heart rate.
If the device detects a dangerous heart rhythm it will deliver treatment in one or more of the following ways:
It is likely that you will be also given medication to reduce your number of heart rate irregularities. This medication should reduce the need for your ICD to generate unnecessary impulses and helps to prevent an ICD electrical storm.
Heart conditions that require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator include:
An ICD is also used to gather data about your heart’s function that is used to make treatment recommendations.
The insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is performed under local anaesthetic and sedation. The surgery takes a few hours. The exact procedure will depend on your health, the type of device, and other surgery you need at the same time.
Typically, a small cut is made near your collarbone and a pouch is created to place your battery-powered pulse generator device. It is about the size of a pocket watch. The pacing leads are fed through your veins to your heart.
Before an ICD
Your health care provider will arrange several blood, urine, and other tests, which may include electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and Holter monitoring.
You will probably be asked to avoid food and drinks for a number of hours before the procedure.
If you take medications, you should talk to your surgeon about them and find out whether you should continue to take them before your ICD implantation.
During the procedure
You will likely be given a sedative and a local anaesthetic.
During surgery, your cardiologist will use X-ray images to guide the placement of one or more flexible, insulated pacing leads into veins near your collarbone, with one end attached to a shock generator device and the other attached to your heart. The device is implanted in a pocket under your skin beneath your collarbone.
The ICD implantation procedure usually takes a few hours.
Once the ICD is in place, your cardiologist will test it and program it for your specific heart rhythm needs.
After an ICD
You may feel some soreness around the site where your ICD was implanted. You can take pain medication to manage your discomfort.
The time you spend in the hospital will depend on your condition and which procedure you had.
Your healthcare team will give you instructions on when it is safe for you to return to driving and other daily activities. Some people may be advised to wait several months before driving.
For the first four weeks, you may be asked to avoid above-the-shoulder activities such as golf, tennis, swimming, bicycling, or vacuuming; heavy lifting; and strenuous exercise. Your healthcare team will probably advise you not to play contact sports again as they can damage your device or dislodge the wires.
For up to eight weeks, you will usually be advised to avoid abrupt movements that raise your left arm above your shoulder to avoid the leads from moving until the area has healed.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator batteries last about seven years. Your healthcare provider should check them regularly, every three to six months. When the battery is nearly out of power, a minor outpatient procedure will be arranged to replace the generator with a new one.
Yes, you will need to take precautions if you have an ICD implantation. These include:
The benefits of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator are that it:
The possible risks of ICD insertion include:
The cost of a CT angiography will depend on your Ramsay hospital of choice.
You will receive a formal quotation price for your cardioverter defibrillator implantation following your consultation with one of our expert cardiologists. This formal quote will be valid for 60 days.
Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. A cardioverter defibrillator implantation is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider.
We have a number of payment options if you are paying for the procedure yourself that suits you and your finances, find out more about accessing healthcare with us here,
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation is the insertion of a small electronic device in your chest to continuously monitor and help regulate potentially fast and life-threatening electrical problems of your heart.
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device placed in your chest to detect and stop serious irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. This keeps your heart supplying enough blood to the rest of your body and prevents life-threatening heart rhythms from developing.
ICDs continuously monitor your heartbeat and when needed they deliver electric shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm.
You might need an ICD if you have a dangerously fast heartbeat that keeps your heart from supplying enough blood to the rest of your body (such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) or if you are at high risk of such a heart rhythm problem, usually because of a weak heart muscle.
We offer convenient appointments with experienced and highly skilled cardiologists who will recommend the best cardiology test for your needs. CT coronary angiography at Ramsay Health Care UK can help in the early diagnosis of narrowing coronary arteries or the all-clear for patients who are experiencing symptoms. Rapid treatment can be arranged if required.
Our stringent protocols for infection control will keep you and our staff safe whilst visiting one of our Ramsay hospitals.
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