In this Article

• What are implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs)?
• How does a normal heart function?
• How do abnormal heart rhythms decrease blood delivery by the heart?
• What is the cause of tachycardias?
• What are the symptoms of tachycardias?
• What are life-threatening tachycardias?
• What are the causes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation?
• How can ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation be treated and prevented?
• Who should receive an ICD?
• How are ICDs designed?
• How are ICDs implanted?
• What happens after implantation of an ICD?
• What are the complications of ICD implantation?
• What happens during a tachycardia episode after the placement of an ICD?
• Living with an ICD.
• What outside electrical sources are safe?
• What outside electrical sources can interfere with the ICD?
• What does the future hold for ICDs?
• Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators At A Glance
• Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Index

What does the future hold for ICDs?

Implantable defibrillator technology continues to improve. The size of ICDs has decreased dramatically which makes the ICD easier to implant, less visible, and more comfortable. Trials are ongoing to convert atrial tachycardias as well as the ventricular tachycardias with the use of an ICD. Other advances include not only technology improvements, but clinical trials that may expand the indications and uses for this exciting lifesaving device.

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators At A Glance

• Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent death from cardiac arrest.
• Cardiac arrest due to life-threatening fast heart rhythms is the most common cause of death in the United States.
• ICDs are implanted in the chest in a manner similar to that of pacemakers.
• ICDs deliver electrical pulses or shocks to the heart to convert a life-threatening fast rhythm to a normal rhythm.
• Certain electrical equipment with strong magnetic fields can interfere with ICDs, but most household appliances in good order are safe.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Pacemaker - Learn about the pacemaker - an electronic device used to treat patients with abnormally slow or irregular heartbeats on MedicineNet.com
• Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - Read about the Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) procedure used to reflect underlying heart conditions such as agnina, occurance of a prior heart attack or of an evolving heart attack, and more.

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