A
doctor places an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (also called an ICD) in
the chest. The ICD has one or two wires called leads that connect to the heart
through a vein. The ICD checks the heartbeat for an abnormal rhythm. If the ICD
senses an abnormal heart rhythm, it sends out either electrical pulses or a
shock to fix it.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
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Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
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Last Revised
|
September 12, 2012 |
Last Revised:
September 12, 2012
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology