My father is having this done and had a terrible time the last time he had surgery. Is it painful? Is it under general anesthesia? If it actual shocks you, can you still function during it? What if he is driving? Any info would be great, thanks in advance.
2006-10-14 04:52:03 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
I am a cardiology RN. I have seen many patients have an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator. For most, it is a relatively simple procedure. There will be 2-3" incision under the left collar bone. The device is about the size of a half dollar. The doctor can decide whether your dad needs general anesthesia (usually preferred) or just sedation. Your dad will be under certain activity restrictions for about 4-6 weeks. If the device fires, he will feel a shock. Some people say it's pretty bad, while others say it's not as bad as they thought it would be. No matter what, if the device fires, he must report it to his doctor. Some patients do say they feel 'different' right before they get shocked. They are then able to sit down or pull off the road if they are driving.
If your dad's doctors have recommended this procedure, it is either because he is having life threatening arrythmias (irregular heart beats) or because his heart is not pumping as good as it should. In either case, this device will benefit greatly.
Best of luck to you and your dad.
2006-10-14 13:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by seemee 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I don't personally know anybody with an AICD (automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator), but I'm a doctor and I've had plenty of patients with them, so I think I can give you a pretty good answer.
The implantation is pretty straightforward, they thread the wires into the heart through the blood vessels, the device itself is inserted through a relatively small (no more than 8-10cm) incision in the chest wall just over the pectoral muscle. This incision, like any surgical incision, is a wound and will hurt while it heals, but usually the pain is manageble with oral meds (percocet is what we use at first, then NSAIDS or tylenol usually do the trick). General anaesthesia is generally not necessary
If it shocks you, generally there is significant discomfort related to the shock (I've been told that it feels like being punched in the chest) but there would rarely be a loss of consciousness (in fact, the defibrillator protects against that sort of thing).
He should not drive for a time after getting the defibrillator, and should not start without talking to his cardiologist, but in all cases it's better to have the device than not.
2006-10-14 12:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by The Doc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to work in cariology, and saw many people have these fitted. They are known as implantable cardiac defibrilators, and have saved countless lives. The pain is minimal, and the procedure is done under a twilight anasthetic. There may be a little pain after surgery, and this is easily treated with paracetamol. The battery is changed evey 5 - 7 years, using the same procedure as for putting the device in. It takes a cut, usually just below the left shoulder, then the wires are fed towards the heart. The device is then fitted, and the battery put in. It will detect a dangerous heart rythm, and cut it to take control. Very rarely it may set of an electric shock, which the person will feel. It will change his life for the better.
2006-10-14 05:02:42 · answer #3 · answered by Stephen J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Defibrillators (AICD) are implanted underneath the skin with about 2-3 inch incision. Most AICD are implanted as an outpatient surgery, depending on the type of closure, staples or dissolvable sutures, the incision should be healed in about 2 weeks. The procedure, depending on the doctor usually do the surgery under conscious sedation, a little Versed and Fentyal to relax you, recovery time is quicker this way. After it is implanted and he does get shocked, he needs to call his Cardiologist and have the AICD interrogated by the device Rep, usually either Medtronics, St. Jude or Guidant.
2006-10-14 08:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by lttleone5 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a major surgery. Sometimes it's done under general, sometimes a consious sedation. It is somewhat painful because there will be an incision, but it shouldn't be unbearable. The doctors should provide pain control. Not if, but when it shocks him, he won't even feel it.
The doctor has determined he needs it to save his life. It''s an amazing technological advance. Try not to worry too much. The procedure does have possible complications, like anything, but it will be the best thing for him in the long run.
2006-10-14 04:58:38 · answer #5 · answered by Rairia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dad had one implanted about 10 years ago, It made his life so much better. Yes it was implanted under general anesthesia but the surgery was short. It activated for him about 1 to 2 times a month and he said that it wasnt that bad, just kinda zapping, he drove, danced, went bowling and had a great life. In the end it wasnt his heart that killed him, he had a stupid accident. The biggest thing to watch out for is keeping the magnet with you but not too close. He kept it at home if he was in town and in the trunk if he was going on a road trip.
2006-10-14 04:57:31 · answer #6 · answered by reesie271 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That person does not exist yet but there are many people with pacemakers walking around and leading normal lives. There is nobody on the planet walking around with a defibrillator in their hearts. Are you sure that was the doctors were doing in your father's case, not a pacemaker?
2006-10-14 04:57:22 · answer #7 · answered by Pyramider 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
no and i hope never have to get one for my Heart Diseases
2006-10-14 14:05:27 · answer #8 · answered by I'm crazy 4 God 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋