Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators

An arrhythmia is any disorder of your heart rate or rhythm. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern. Most arrhythmias result from problems in the electrical system of the heart. If your arrhythmia is serious, you may need one of two devices implanted under your skin: a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

A pacemaker monitors the electrical impulses in the heart. When needed, it delivers electrical pulses to make the heart beat in a more normal rhythm. A pacemaker may be helpful when the heart beats too slowly or has other abnormal rhythms. An ICD is a device that monitors heart rhythms. If it senses dangerous rhythms, it delivers shocks. Many ICDs record the heart's electrical patterns when there is an abnormal heartbeat. This can help the doctor plan future treatment.

External Resources

Machines in Our Hearts - Book on the invention and history of the cardiac pacemaker and the implantable defibrillator (ICD).

Cardiac Services - Includes cardiac diagnostics, bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve replacement, implantable pacemaking devices and defibrillators, cardiac catheterization and treatment of congestive heart failure.

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