New Implantable Defibrillators Expected to Save Lives

More Oklahomans die from heart disease than any other cause.. far more than the national average.<br><br>An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small, lightweight electronic device that

Friday, March 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

More Oklahomans die from heart disease than any other cause.. far more than the national average.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small, lightweight electronic device that is implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen. The device shocks the heart back into normal rhythm, slowing down or halting excessively rapid heart rates.

An ICD consists of various leads, or wires, that are positioned inside the heart, or on its surface, and tunneled to a generator, or tiny battery-operated computer, that is implanted beneath the skin. The generator has electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms (by sending out shocks) recognized as abnormal. The leads are used to sense the heart's rhythm and carry shocks to the heart.

The device does not cure the heart rhythm disturbance, but can save lives by quickly bringing a rapid heart rate under control.

An ICD shocks the heart back into normal rhythm, slowing down or halting excessively rapid heart rates that arise in the ventricles. The device does not cure the heart rhythm disturbance, but can save lives by quickly bringing a rapid heart rate under control.

Typically, patients with a history of serious, recurrent heart rhythm problems -- such as excessively rapid heart rates that arise in the ventricles -- placing them at high risk for sudden cardiac death. The ICD is often implanted in cases where drug therapy fails to suppress the dangerous heart rhythm disturbance.

Often, abnormal rhythms arise from damaged heart muscle due to a heart attack. Other patients may have weakened muscle from heart failure, congenital heart problems or heart valve problems. Sometimes, there is no known cause.

Insertion of an ICD is a simple procedure with minimal risk. In rare cases, patients experience bleeding, clotting or tearing in the vein, puncture of the heart or lung, or infection at the incision site. Death is very rare.