The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that can protect you against dangerous abnormal heart rhythms by constantly monitoring your heart rhythm. The ICD is able to detect ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) . These two heart rhythms can be life-threatening if they are not treated.
The ICD treats these rhythms by pacing, or shocking, the heart back to a normal rhythm. The ICD can also act as a pacemaker. Your doctor will program your ICD to best fit your specific needs. ICD Placement The ICD placement is done in the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab. You will be given sedation to help you relax during the procedure. The procedure lasts several hours. Most patients are able to go home the next morning.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital has an ICD support group for patients and their families. The group allows time for you and your family to meet with other ICD patients. The meetings are used to answer questions, provide new information and share concerns about your ICD. The members of this group enjoy this time to talk with one another. An invitation to join this group, along with the next meeting date, will be mailed to you.
Home Care
When at home you will need time to recover from the surgery. It is important for you to listen to your body and rest when you feel tired, eat a proper diet, and follow up with your doctor for scheduled appointments. After you recover, you may resume your normal activities with a few restrictions.
Incision Care
Activity Guidelines
Magnets and Your ICD
You should stay away from strong magnetic fields. Magnets may deactivate your device, drain your battery or even cause unnecessary shocks. For this reason, it is best to avoid magnets or keep a safe distance from them. A partial list of potential concerns include:
| Source (Outside Hospital) | Confirm Safety | Safe |
| Arc welders | X | |
| Large transformers | X | |
| Large transformers | X | |
| Store security | X | |
| Dental equipment** | X | |
| Ham/CB radios | X | |
| Small hand tools | X | |
| Microwave ovens | X | |
| TV satellite dish | X | |
| Exercise equipment | X | |
| Source (Inside Hospital) | Confirm Safety | Safe |
| MRI: Cannot be done | ||
| Ultrasound | X | |
| Diagnostic Radiation | X |
* Metal detectors will not hurt your device, but they will set off the alarm. Hand-held wands should be avoided.
** Dental equipment is safe with a few exceptions. Notify your dentist about your ICD before any procedure is performed.
As suggested, confirm the safety of the indicated items. Individual situations may vary. If in doubt, your home or work area can be checked for interference with your device by consultants. Ask the electrophysiology nurse clinicians for details.
It is important to notify your doctor(s) that you have an ICD. If there are any questions concerning specific tests, we can provide you with further information.
If you have a Shock
As noted before, your ICD may attempt to pace you out of an abnormal rhythm. If unsuccessful it will deliver a shock to restore your normal rhythm.
If you receive a shock and pass out or do not feel well, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Once transferred to an emergency department, notify us at (312) 695-4753.
If You Receive a Shock and Feel Fine
You may want to sit and rest for a few minutes. Notify us when you have time. Call the EP nurses at (312) 926-4753.
Follow-Up Care
After your ICD is implanted, you will be followed closely by your doctor to make sure it is working properly. Your device will be checked in the Electrophysiology Lab before you go home, and three months after you are discharged. This is a non-invasive test. No needles are used other than an IV line. Your doctor will test your ICD and make any "fine-tuning" adjustments that are needed. You will also have an outpatient office visit at one month after device implant. This is a quick visit to get data from the device and answer questions you may still have.
Once you have completed these two tests you will have an appointment every three months in the outpatient office. During this visit, we check the battery status and the ICD function. This test is short and painless. This is also a good time for you to share any questions or concerns you might have. The outpatient office is located at 675 North St. Clair, 19th floor, Suite 100. The appointment phone number is (312) 695-4965.
Appointments
One-Week Appointment
You will need to come back in one week for a wound check. On the day of your appointment, go to Feinberg Pavilion (251 East Huron St.) and check in at the 8th floor Reception Desk. Parking is available. This appointment should take about 15 minutes.
One-Month Appointment
You will be checked one month after surgery in the outpatient office, Galter Pavilion, 675 North St. Clair, 19th Floor, Suite 100, (312) 695-4965. Parking is available. At this appointment we will take measurements from the ICD and check to make sure it is still working properly.
Three-Month Appointment
The electrophysiologist will want to check your device three months after surgery. Do not eat or drink anything the morning of the test. You may take your medicines with a small amount of water that morning.
Check in at the Feinberg Pavilion, 251 East Huron, 8th Floor at 7 a.m. Parking is available. Plan to be in the hospital until about 1 p.m. that day. Please arrange for someone to drive you home. You should not drive or take public transportation alone because of the sedation medication you will receive during the test.
Every Three Months
After the three-month test you will be seen in the outpatient clinic every three months. The ICD clinic is located at the Galter Pavilion, 675 North St. Clair, 19th Floor, Suite 100. Parking is available. The appointment phone number for clinic is (312) 695-4965.
Contact
Electrophysiology (EP) Lab
(312) 926- 5310 or (312) 926-4753.
Review Date: 11/04
