Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator|Dr. Ishwar Zanwar

ICD stands for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. It is a small device that is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest, similar to a pacemaker. It's designed to monitor the heart's rhythm and deliver electrical shocks to the heart if it detects a life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

The device is made up of two main components: a pulse generator, which contains a battery and the circuitry that controls the device, and one or more leads, which are thin wires that are inserted into the heart through a vein and connect the pulse generator to the heart.

 

The ICD continuously monitors the heart's rhythm and if it detects a dangerous arrhythmia, it delivers an electrical shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. The patient will not feel the shocks as the device is programmed to deliver a low energy shock first before escalating.

ICD is primarily used for patients with a high risk of sudden cardiac arrest, such as those with a history of heart attack, heart failure, or a history of ventricular arrhythmias. It's also used for patients who have a genetic condition that predisposes them to arrhythmias.