Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, also called ICDs, are sophisticated electronic devices, similar to pacemakers, that are designed to treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Unlike pacemakers that only accelerate an abnormally slow heart rhythm, ICDs can both decelerate a dangerously fast heart rhythm and accelerate a slow heart rhtyhm. The purpose of this section is to familiarize patients with these devices, including the indications for its use, pre-implantation testing, details of the implantation procedure, post-implantation care and outpatient follow-up, and potential problems and pitfalls associated with treatment with ICD devices.