Defibrillator Implant

Underlying Problem Requiring a Defibrillator Implant:
A defibrillator implant is used to monitor the rate and rhythm of the patient's heart. It can be placed under the skin and if the heart is not working properly, the defibrillator implant provides electrical impulses that shock it into a proper rhythm. The device may be a useful tool for patients who have had a heart attack and are at risk for another, those who have experienced ventricular tachycardia, those with heart arrhythmias, and those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Treatment:
In order to have a defibrillator implanted, a doctor must make a small incision in the patient's chest. The patient will usually be awake and will have received a local anesthetic. Insulated wires, called leads, are then inserted through the patient's veins and into the heart. While one end of the lead is connected to the heart, the other will connect to a device that generates the electrical impulse when it is needed. This device will be held under the skin of the chest. There will be a visible bump in the chest where the defibrillator implant is located.

Once the device has been programmed, it is ready to deliver a shock if needed. Many patients are extremely nervous about the possibility of being shocked, so it's important for them to have a plan of what to do should it happen (about 60 percent of patients will receive a shock within the first two years). If the defibrillator implant does send out an impulse, the patient is generally recommended to sit or lie down and to call the doctor to relay the appropriate information. If the shocks continue, however, someone should call an ambulance.

Recovery from a Defibrillator Implant:
After receiving a defibrillator implant, a patient will often need to spend a day or two in the hospital. After that, there will be some restrictions placed on activity. For example, strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least a week. Showering will also need to be avoided until the incision has healed enough to protect the defibrillator implant.

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