An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest to detect and stop irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). An ICD continuously monitors the heartbeat and delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm.

You might need an ICD if you have a dangerously fast heartbeat that keeps your heart from supplying enough blood to the rest of your body (such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) or if you are at high risk of such a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia), usually because of a weak heart muscle.

An ICD differs from a pacemaker — an implantable device that can prevent dangerously slow heartbeats.

Read full illustration about ICD Surgery by Pritish Halder below:

Anterior view with incision for ICD implant

Types

An ICD is a type of cardiac therapy device. There are two basic types:

  • A traditional ICD is implanted in the chest, and the wires (leads) attach to the heart. The implant procedure requires invasive surgery.
  • A subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) is another option that’s implanted under the skin at the side of the chest below the armpit. It’s attached to an electrode that runs along the breastbone. An S-ICD is larger than a traditional ICD but doesn’t attach to the heart.

Why it’s done

An ICD constantly monitors for irregular heartbeats and instantly tries to correct them. It helps when the heart stops beating effectively (cardiac arrest).

Your health care provider may recommend an ICD if you’ve had signs or symptoms of a certain type of irregular heart rhythm called sustained ventricular tachycardia, including fainting. An ICD might also be recommended if you survived a cardiac arrest. Other reasons you may benefit from an ICD are:

  • A history of coronary artery disease and heart attack that has weakened the heart
  • An enlarged heart muscle
  • A genetic heart condition that increases the risk of dangerously fast heart rhythms, such as some types of long QT syndrome
  • Other rare conditions that may affect the heartbeat

A health care provider may recommend an S-ICD if there are structural defects in the heart that prevent attaching wires to the heart through the blood vessels.

Preparation

Before the procedure

If you’re having an ICD implanted, you’ll likely be asked to avoid food and drinks for at least 8 hours before the procedure.

Talk to your health care provider about any medications you take and whether you should continue to take them before the procedure to implant an ICD.

During the procedure

A health care provider will insert an IV into your forearm or hand and may give you a medication called a sedative to help you relax.

During surgery to implant the ICD, the doctor guides one or more flexible, insulated wires (leads) into veins near the collarbone to the heart using X-ray images as a guide. The ends of the leads attach to the heart. The other ends attach to a device (shock generator) that’s implanted under the skin beneath the collarbone. The procedure to implant an ICD usually takes a few hours.

Once the ICD is in place, your doctor will test it and program it for your specific heart rhythm needs. Testing the ICD might require speeding up the heart and then shocking it back into a regular rhythm.

Depending on the problem with the heartbeat, an ICD could be programmed for:

Low-energy pacing. You may feel nothing or a painless fluttering in your chest when your ICD responds to mild changes in your heartbeat.

A higher energy shock. For more-serious heart rhythm problems, the ICD may deliver a higher energy shock. This shock can be painful, possibly making you feel as if you’ve been kicked in the chest.

Usually, only one shock is needed to restore a regular heartbeat. Some people might have two or more shocks during a 24-hour period.Having three or more shocks in a short amount of time is called an electrical or arrhythmia storm.

After the procedure

You’ll usually be released on the day after the ICD procedure. You’ll need to arrange to have someone to drive you home and help you while you are recovering.

The area where the ICD is implanted can be swollen and tender for a few days or weeks. Your health care provider might prescribe pain medication. Aspirin and ibuprofen aren’t recommended because they may increase the risk of bleeding.

You’ll usually need to avoid abrupt movements that raise your left arm above your shoulder for up to eight weeks so the leads don’t move until the area has healed. You may need to limit your driving, depending the type of ICD received. Your health care provider will give you instructions on when it’s safe to return to driving and other daily activities.

For about four weeks after surgery, your health care provider might ask you to avoid:

  • Vigorous, above-the-shoulder activities or exercises, including golf, tennis, swimming, bicycling, bowling or vacuuming
  • Heavy lifting
  • Strenuous exercise programs

Your health care provider will probably tell you to avoid contact sports indefinitely. Heavy contact may damage the device or dislodge the wires.

Long-term precautions

Problems with an ICD due to electrical signals (electrical interference) are rare. Still, take precautions with the following:

Cellular phones and other mobile devices. It’s safe to talk on a cellphone, but avoid placing a cellphone within 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) of an ICD site when the phone is turned on.

Security systems. After surgery, you’ll receive a card that says you have an ICD. Show your card to airport personnel because the ICD may set off airport security alarms.

Also, hand-held metal detectors often contain a magnet that can interfere with an ICD

Medical equipment. Some procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and radiofrequency or microwave ablation may not be recommended if you have an ICD.

Power generators. Stand at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from welding equipment, high-voltage transformers or motor-generator systems. If you work around such equipment, your health care provider can arrange a test in your workplace to see if the equipment affects your ICD.

Headphones and wireless chargers. Headphones may contain a magnetic substance that can interfere with an ICD. Keep headphones and wireless chargers at least 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) from an ICD.

Magnets. Magnets may affect an ICD, so it’s a good idea to keep magnets at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) from the ICD site.

Devices that pose little or no risk to an ICD include microwave ovens, televisions and remote controls, AM/FM radios, toasters, electric blankets, electric shavers and electric drills, computers, scanners, printers, and GPS devices.

Risks

Possible risks of having an ICD implanted include:

  • Infection at the implant site
  • Swelling, bleeding or bruising
  • Blood vessel damage from ICD leads
  • Bleeding around the heart, which can be life-threatening
  • Blood leaking through the heart valve (regurgitation) where the ICD lead is placed
  • Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
  • Movement (shifting) of the device or leads, which could lead to cardiac perforation (rare)

Reference

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators/about/pac-20384692#:~:text=An%20implantable%20cardioverter%2Ddefibrillator%20(ICD,restore%20a%20regular%20heart%20rhythm.