Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is important because prompt defibrillation is the most important factor in achieving successful resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim with ventricular fibrillation (fatal cardiac arrhythmia). Defibrillation delayed more than four minutes markedly reduces residual free survival. And an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator is more effective than medicine for ventricular fibrillation.
Patients who survive cardiac arrest are at high risk of developing recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF). Patients with poor heart pumping function (poor heart contraction), especially who have ventricular arrhythmia (cardiac arrhythmia coming from the lower chamber of the heart), are also at high risk of VF. Specific medications used for prevention of VF and sudden cardiac arrest for these patients are less effective than an Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator. ICD implant is therefore usually recommended for such patients.
After implantation, care is mostly the same as for a pacemaker. Driving is usually not recommended for a recipient of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Driving any mass transport system and doing jobs involving public safety are not permitted by law in many countries. Private car driving, which is usually not recommended, may be possible if there is no ventricular arrhythmia and no shock episodes for at least six months.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator patients need regular and more frequent follow-up checkups than pacemaker recipients, usually at intervals of every 3-6 months. Every shock episode needs evaluation. The patient should contact Piyavate International Hospital for an ICD check if a shock episode occurs. ICD interrogation and stored data analysis helps our cardiologists identify appropriate or inappropriate shock therapy, program adjustment, and/or medical treatment alteration. If there are three or more shocks within a few minutes the patient needs to immediately come to the hospital, preferrably by the Perfect Heart Institute EMS response ambulance.
To maintain the quick charge and quick shock property, the capacitor needs to be charged and discharged (capacitor reformation) regularly which consumes energy and shortens the battery life. The average ICD battery life is 4-7 years. Improving battery technology may extend it’s longevity in newer models. New ICD generator replacement is needed when the elective replacement Indicator or ERI alert is found during one of the regular ICD follow-up exams.
