ueation on cardic defbrillator - Heart Disorders Message Board

rivergal55 · 07-09-2008, 10:26 AM

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.

07-09-2008, 11:07 AM

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.

rivergal55 · 07-09-2008, 11:54 AM

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

Pika · 07-09-2008, 05:12 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.

07-09-2008, 06:33 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.