rivergal55
07-09-2008, 01:26 PM
Hi Everyone:
I am new to this board, but was wondering if any one has a internal defibrilltor. Is there a difference between a pace maker & defibrillator.
I was told that I may need a defibrillator only. How big are they?
Thanks for your help, would appreciate any.
I am new to this board, but was wondering if any one has a internal defibrilltor. Is there a difference between a pace maker & defibrillator.
I was told that I may need a defibrillator only. How big are they?
Thanks for your help, would appreciate any.
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Bill 1950
07-09-2008, 02:07 PM
I had an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) installed on June 30. It's implanted in my left chest, and is substantially smaller than a cigarette package.
A pacemaker paces the heart, but cannot help in cases of ventricular fibrillation (VF).
My ICD will pace if the heart rate is too slow, and will shock the heart if the heart rate becomes too fast or enters VF. It was installed to handle heart rhythm irregularities I have at times.
A pacemaker paces the heart, but cannot help in cases of ventricular fibrillation (VF).
My ICD will pace if the heart rate is too slow, and will shock the heart if the heart rate becomes too fast or enters VF. It was installed to handle heart rhythm irregularities I have at times.
rivergal55
07-09-2008, 02:54 PM
Thanks for responding, but was wondering if it comes in just one device, if I need just a defibrillator only. Or does it come only as a combination.
They never mentioned a pacemaker. ( removed )
Thanks
They never mentioned a pacemaker. ( removed )
Thanks
Pika
07-09-2008, 08:12 PM
Mine is a pacemaker from St Jude.
I didn't have any ICD component in my pacemaker. I have 2 leads so it senses and paces if necessary. It'll pace out any abnormal rhythm before it enters into the ventricle. If it missed at the Atria or overrided then the ventricle lead will pick up and pace stright away.
I didn't have any ICD component in my pacemaker. I have 2 leads so it senses and paces if necessary. It'll pace out any abnormal rhythm before it enters into the ventricle. If it missed at the Atria or overrided then the ventricle lead will pick up and pace stright away.
Bill 1950
07-09-2008, 09:33 PM
A search for "ICD" or "Implanted Cardioverter-Defibrillator" will yield a lot of material that will probably answer your questions.
The ICD will do pacing in addition to its cardioverter and defibrillator duties. Similar to pacemakers (I think), it begins pacing when the heartbeat falls below a certain value like 40 or 50 bpm.
This is a new area for me. Since being scheduled to get an ICD, I've spent a lot of time reading whatever I can find on the internet or elsewhere on the subject. Its interesting, and there's a lot of information available. And having one implanted in the left chest sharpens one's interest, I've found.
The ICD will do pacing in addition to its cardioverter and defibrillator duties. Similar to pacemakers (I think), it begins pacing when the heartbeat falls below a certain value like 40 or 50 bpm.
This is a new area for me. Since being scheduled to get an ICD, I've spent a lot of time reading whatever I can find on the internet or elsewhere on the subject. Its interesting, and there's a lot of information available. And having one implanted in the left chest sharpens one's interest, I've found.
hopesprings2
07-10-2008, 05:41 PM
Hi Everyone:
I am new to this board, but was wondering if any one has a internal defibrilltor. Is there a difference between a pace maker & defibrillator.
I was told that I may need a defibrillator only. How big are they?
Thanks for your help, would appreciate any.I think they are kinda the same
but do others things
which i think both shock
I am new to this board, but was wondering if any one has a internal defibrilltor. Is there a difference between a pace maker & defibrillator.
I was told that I may need a defibrillator only. How big are they?
Thanks for your help, would appreciate any.I think they are kinda the same
but do others things
which i think both shock
Pika
07-10-2008, 10:59 PM
Pacemaker won't shock. ICD will shock. If pacemaker unable to pace out of any dangerous rhythm then the patient will end up with faint and result dying. ICD can shock. Just like other External defibrilors at the hospital. It still can be fail or fatal but less incident than the external one. Some are pacemaker and ICD all in one so this kind of pacemaker/ICD will have the both functions.
sam78
07-11-2008, 10:23 PM
Rivergal, if you just need a defibrillator then that is what you will get. However now aday all the defribrillators have the capacity to pace the heart as well. Typically it will only pace in the atrium for slow heart rates, which for you can be set very low if they dont want it to pace. The point of having a backup pacemaker in an ICD is if you get shocked, and for some reason shock into a rhythm that is too slow, then it can pace the heart to speed the heart rate up. In everyday activities it will not do anything. Some people have these devices in for years and it will do absolutely nothing. So its not a bad thing to have the capability to pace the heart as well as defibrillate.