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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAn implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) — a pager-sized device which is implanted in your chest like a pacemaker — may reduce your risk of dying if your heart stops beating (cardiac arrest). You may need an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator if you have a dangerously fast heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) or a chaotic heartbeat that makes it so your heart can't supply enough blood to the rest of your body (ventricular fibrillation).
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators work by detecting and stopping dangerous, abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias). An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator continuously monitors your heartbeat and delivers electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm when necessary.
Why it's done- Epstein AE, et al. ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities. Circulation. 2008;117(21):e350-408.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11227. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Arnsdorf MF, et al. General principles of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Arnsdorf MF, et al. Role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for the secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Healy J, et al. Life and death after ICD implantation. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359(10):1058-1059.
- Kleemann T, et al. Annual rate of transvenous defibrillation lead defects in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators over a period of >10 years. Circulation 2007;115(19):2474-2480.
- Epstein AE, et al. Addendum to "Personal and public safety issues related to arrhythmias that may affect consciousness: Implications for regulation and physician recommendations: A medical/scientific statement from the American Heart Association and North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology." Circulation. 2007;115(9):1170-1176.
- Sljapic TN, et al. Driving restrictions in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Arnsdorf MF, et al. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: Patient follow-up. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
