ICD, Pacemaker, and & Loop Recorder
CARDIOLOGY SERVICES
ICD / Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
When a person is at high risk for developing a life-threatening arrhythmia, ICDs are helpful in averting sudden death. This can be ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Most ICDs, also known as transvenous ICDs, perform a second job as a pacemaker.
Your heart rate is monitored by an ICD, a battery-operated device that is inserted under the skin. Your heart and the ICD are connected by tiny wires. The device will deliver an electric shock to reestablish a regular heartbeat if it detects an aberrant cardiac rhythm.
A person would need an ICD If he has a potentially fatal arrhythmia with no treatable underlying reasons like:
- Ischemia myocardial (inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle).
- Myocardial infarction acute (heart attack).
- Unbalanced electrolytes and medication toxicity.
A battery-operated pulse generator is inserted into a pouch under the skin of the chest, frequently along the ribcage or slightly below the collarbone. It might go into the infant’s abdomen. The generator resembles a pocket watch in size. There is no need for open chest surgery since wires or leads that run from the pulse generator to locations on the outside of or inside the heart can be placed through blood vessels.
Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a tiny device that is implanted into the chest to assist in controlling the heartbeat. As a protection, it stops the heart from beating too slowly. The doctor performs surgery to implant the pacemaker in the chest. The other name of a pacemaker is a cardiac pacing device.
There are three types of pacemakers which are as follows.
- Single chamber pacemaker.
- Dual chamber pacemaker.
- Biventricular pacemaker.
A pacemaker is implanted to aid in heartbeat regulation. Your doctor could suggest getting a temporary pacemaker if your heartbeat is slow (bradycardia) after a heart attack, surgery, or medication overdose but is otherwise expected to mend. To treat heart failure or to correct a persistently slow or irregular heartbeat, permanent pacemakers can be implanted.
Pacemakers only work when they are required. If your heart beats too slowly, the pacemaker sends electrical commands to your heart to change its pulse (bradycardia). A few more modern pacemakers also come equipped with sensors that detect changes in breathing or body movement and notify the devices when the heart rate during exercise has to be increased.
Loop Recorder
A form of cardiac monitoring gadget known as an implanted loop recorder continually records your heart rhythm for up to three years. It enables your doctor to keep an eye on your heartbeat from a distance as you go about your everyday business. During a quick procedure, the tiny gadget, which is also known as a cardiac event recorder, is positioned just beneath the skin of your chest.
Your doctor may advise you to have a loop recorder if you have any of the following:
- A mysterious stroke.
- Unusual heartbeat (arrhythmia).
- Unaccounted for fainting (syncope).
A normal electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor may miss certain information if an implantable loop recorder is used, especially if there are brief or infrequent arrhythmias.
If you have a high risk of stroke, your doctor might also advise getting an implanted loop recorder. Atrial fibrillation, for example, increases your risk of stroke.
Port Charlotte Cardiology provides all of the above services with the help of a group of experts.