Implantable Defibrillators
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, also called an ICD, is a small device that monitors your heart rate and rhythm. Sometimes you may have an arrhythmia, which is when your heart does not beat normally. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop beating. The ICD will give your heart a jolt (shock) so that your heart will start beating normally again. An ICD can make your heart beat faster if it is not beating fast enough. It can also slow your heart down if it is beating too fast.
An ICD is made up of a generator, a programmer and leads (wires). The generator and the leads will be placed inside you during surgery. The generator has a metal shell with a battery and a small computer inside. The computer monitors your heart rate and rhythm. One end of the lead attaches to the inside of your heart. The other end of the lead is connected to the generator. The generator transmits (sends) information about your heart to the programmer.
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