Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

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Conduction system of the heart

Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Normal heart rhythm

Potential risks of the ICD

Surgery is needed to implant the ICD. Risks of surgery include pain, infection, and bleeding. Additionally, ICD implantation can cause dangerous and life-threatening heart rhythms, injury to the heart and lungs, and death. These complications are very rare.

One problem with an ICD is that it sometimes delivers shocks when you do not need them. Even though a shock lasts a very short time, you can usually feel it. Every shock you feel should be notified to your doctor. The settings of the ICD may need to be adjusted or your medications may need to be changed.

ICD problems can sometimes be prevented by programming the device to sound an alert when there is a problem. This can be done by your electrophysiologist. If you heart your ICD alert, you should immediately call your doctor.

WARNING: In June 2005, certain ICD models and biventricular pacemaker-defibrillators were recalled by the manufacturer because of a circuitry flaw that prevents the devices from delivering therapeutic electrical shocks when needed. The problem may result in patient death. Two deaths are believed to be associated with the malfunction. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not make any specific recommendations, the agency encourages patients who may have such a device to ask their health care doctor if they should have it removed or replaced. The devices affected by this recall are:

• PRIZM 2 DR, Model 1861, manufactured on or before April 16, 2002
• CONTAK RENEWAL, Model H135, manufactured on or before August 26, 2004
• CONTAK RENEWAL 2, Model H155, manufactured on or before August 26, 2004

Review Date: 07/12/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.