An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is an electronic device designed to stop rapid, abnormal heart rhythms. If your heart has ever stopped (cardiac arrest) or you've had rapid, abnormal heart rhythms (life-threatening arrhythmias) that cannot be controlled by drugs or other approaches, you may be given this device.
The defibrillator uses two approaches to stop rapid abnormal heart rhythms:
- It beats faster than the abnormal rate (this is called overdrive pacing)
- It delivers one or more shocks directly to the heart. These may or may not be felt depending on how much energy is needed to restore your heart's normal rhythm.
The defibrillator is placed under the skin of the chest or the belly below the ribs. The device is connected to leads, which are used for pacing, shocking and sensing.
This is done in an operating room while you are under general anesthesia. The surgery can be done several ways. Your doctor will discuss the various options with you.
Specific instructions about preparing for cardioverter defrillator implantation and life afterward, see the For Patients section.
