Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator



An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device used to detect and interrupt malignant (life-threatening) arrhythmias, such as

ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, and to prevent sudden cardiac death.

The ICD consists of its device (see figure) and one or two flexible electrodes. Most often, the ICD is implanted in the left subclavicular space under the pectoral muscle, the electrode is inserted through the subclavian vein into the tip of the right ventricle. Implantation of the left ICD is more advantageous because when the cardiac arrhythmia is disrupted, current flows through the entire left ventricle and therefore has a greater chance of actually interrupting the arrhythmia. If we use an ICD with two electrodes, the second electrode is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of the chest. The electrode inserted into the tip of the right ventricle continuously senses the heart rhythm. When a malignant arrhythmia is registered, the ICD automatically initiates treatment, which can be: rapid heart pacing, low energy shock, or high energy shock (depending on the nature of the arrhythmia).

Related Articles

 * Defibrillation
 * Sudden cardiac death
 * Ventricular fibrillation
 * Pacemaker