Defibrillator (I.C.D.) Implantation

Defibrillators are devices that monitor heart rhythms continuously. By sensing the usual heart rhythm, it can detect a life threatening abnormal heart rhythm. When it senses a life threatening rhythm, it delivers a life saving shock to the patient's heart, and then acts as a pacemaker to keep the patient’s heart rate from dropping too low. It usually requires a hospital stay of 1-2 days. The hospital and your provider’s nurse will inform you of specific instructions for this procedure.