Implantable Heart devices?

Question

My doctor wants to put one of these in me, I am 49 years old and he said without it, you die soon, but I am afraid? Can anyone give me some advice? Anyone that has one out here, Its called an ICD. thanks

I do have several Doctors, my concern is what to except with one of these ICD'S. For those that have one or know of someone that has one would know what I am trying to say.

Answer 1

They arent as bad as you expect. i had one implanted at 32, it became a real safety net for me. It has helped my heart get back to almost normal. The worst part is that if i sit just right, i can feel my heart pacing. Doesnt hurt, just feels wierd. I have had it for almost 2 years now and its a part of me. Get it done, it will make you feel much more comfortable! Good luck!

Answer 2

Of course you are afraid. It sounds like you would like some reassurance.
I am assuming that you have had tests that have determined your heart has a high risk of "stopping". This can happen without any warning whatsoever. One minute your walking and talking, the next you're passed out on the floor. The only thing that will change your heart back to a normal beat is a shock of electricity.
An ICD will constantly monitor your heart and deliver that when these episodes happen. It's like having a paramedic on call with you at all times. It will detect the bad rhythm and shock it back to normal in seconds.No ambulance could ever reach you as fast.
Many people pass out when their heart "stops", and never feel the shock. Most people who do not pass out describe it feeling like a "punch in the chest". Almost everyone says it is worth it.
If you would like more information, try the Heart Rhythm Society website, or try the Medtronic website. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 3

How is an ICD implanted?
The device is connected to leads positioned inside the heart or on its surface. These leads deliver electrical shocks, sense the cardiac rhythm and sometimes pace the heart, as needed. The various leads are tunnelled to a pulse generator, which is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen. These generators are typically a little larger than a wallet and have electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms recognized as abnormal. Newer devices are smaller and have simpler lead systems. They can be installed through blood vessels, eliminating the need for open-chest surgery.

When an ICD detects ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it shocks the heart to restore the normal rhythm. New devices also provide overdrive pacing to electrically convert a sustained ventricular tachycardia, and "backup" pacing if bradycardia occurs. They also offer a host of other sophisticated functions (such as storage of detected arrhythmic events and the ability to do "noninvasive" electrophysiologic testing).

ICDs have been very useful in preventing sudden death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies have shown that they may have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

The American Heart Association recommends that before a patient is considered to be a candidate for an implanted defibrillator, the arrhythmia in question must be life-threatening. Remediable causes of the arrhythmia must be ruled out. These include:

* Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
* Myocardial ischemia (inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle)
* Electrolyte imbalance and drug toxicity


http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=558

Answer 4

AICD, actually - automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator. We're giving them out like candy these days ^_^.
I can't tell you too much about whether it's the right choice for you without knowing more about your condition (and the doctor who told you that it's a good idea is probably an electrophysiologist or at least a general cardiologist, who knows more than me in any case). But I will say that they can be lifesaving in people who have conditions that predispose them to arrhythmias and they are becoming more and more common in older people with heart failure due to a wealth of literature than suggests that it will help them live longer.
What they are is essentially a device that is capable of monitoring the heart rhythm and either pacing (giving small electrical signals at a defined rate) or defibrillating (giving a much larger shock to attempt to break a dangerous arrhythmia) if necessary. They are generally quite well programmed, they are capable of detecting disorganized heart rhythms which do not pump blood (fibrillation) or heart rhythms that become too fast or slow to effectively pump and taking corrective action. Sometimes that action is merely to pace the heart at a good rate, sometimes they pace the heart at a very rapid rate for a short period of time to try to break an arrhythmia, and sometimes they defibrillate.
Your cardiologist can tell you more about exactly why he recommends the device and what you can expect, but it's definately something that can be, under the right circumstances, lifesaving.

Answer 5

I'm 46 and got one 2 years ago- it's great. Mine is a pace maker / defibrillator. It paces my heart 100% allowing my own heart to rest and heal- or at least keep it from getting worse.
I have a lot more peace now- and the scar is hardly nothing.
Do it. No fear.

Answer 6

You haven't given any details, but even if you had, I'm not a doctor.

You must have more than one doctor, since I don't think your primary doctor told you to go get an AICD. Talk to your primary doctor. If your cardiologist wanted you to go see another doctor about an AICD, it certainly can't hurt to go and see what the next doctor has to say.