Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
What is an ICD?
An ICD is a special kind of pacemaker. It is a kind of computer that continually monitors the heart rate. If severe arrhythmia arises, the ICD detects this and sends tiny, unperceived electrical impulses or a jolt to the heart to normalise the heart rate.
Who requires an ICD?
An ICD are used for patients who have experienced cardiac arrest or severe arrhythmia (VF or VT) where no condition for which treatment is possible has been found. If the pumping capacity has been reduced following a blood clot in the heart (AMI), implantation of an ICD may also be advisable, even if no arrhythmia has occurred. Recent studies have shown that in certain patients who have had a blood clot in the heart implantation of an ICD may prove a life-saving measure, preventing arrhythmia from arising in the future.
If the pumping capacity is reduced, the specialist will assess whether the patient needs further coordination of the heart’s pumping capacity (resynchronization) and thus a special type of ICD, or whether an ordinary ICD is sufficient.
How is the operation performed?
The ICD is placed in a small pocket just under the skin, typically just below the collarbone on the left side. The necessary lead(s) is inserted via a vein in close vicinity of the pocket. This part of the operation is performed in local anaesthesia. To prevent infection in the wound after the operation, penicillin or another antibiotic is prescribed prior to the operation. Before the operation is completed, the ICD is tested, meaning that the specialist provokes a fast heart rate which the ICD must then detect and adjust. This test is performed in full anaesthesia.
The operation takes approx. 1-2 hours. You will be able to go about the ward immediately after the operation and are likely to be discharged later that same day or the day after. After 1 month, you will be called in for a control of the ICD, where we can adjust it “cordlessly” to the extent that this is necessary.
If you wish to learn more about an ICD or your possibilities of treatment, please call us at tel. +45 76 95 01 00.