PROCEDURES
IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTED-DEFIBRILLATOR
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are similar to pacemakers in that they reduce your risk of cardiac arrest and prevent life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias by regulating your heartbeat with electrical pulses when necessary.
WHY DO I NEED IT?
An ICD is implanted for patients with known, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias or congenital heart disease and those who have had a heart attack or cardiac arrest to prevent sudden cardiac death.
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin similar to a regular pacemaker device. An ICD monitors the heart rhythm for any life-threatening rhythm abnormalities. If any chaotic, rapid or abnormal heart rhythms occur the ICD is able to recognise them, and it then tries to pace your heart out of these rhythms. If it is not successful with just pacing, it can deliver electrical pulses to restore a normal heart rhythm.
HOW IS IT DONE?
The procedure to implant an ICD is usually performed under a local anaesthetic and you may be given sedation, which will make you relaxed. Dr van Rensburg will then insert the wires into the veins near your collarbone and guide them towards your heart. The other ends of the wires are connected to the device which is placed beneath your skin near the collarbone. Once in place, your cardiologist will test and programme the device. This may require her to speed up your heart and see if the ICD is able to then shock the heart back to its normal rhythm.
WHAT ABOUT AFTERWARDS?
After the placement of your cardioverter-defibrillator device you will remain in the hospital for observation for the one to two days. Your cardiologist will then test your ICD again. Once discharged, you will need someone to drive you home. Thereafter you may need to take some precautions to ensure your ICD is working properly. While the electrical shocks done by the ICD when necessary can be unsettling, this device drastically lowers your risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest and is more effective than medication for those at high risk.