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Defibrillators device support

How defibrillators work

Background image of S-ICD EMBLEM

Discover how your transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (TV-ICD) or subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) system works to monitor and treat dangerously fast ventricular heart rhythms so you can live a more active life.

What is an ICD?

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, commonly known as an ICD, is a device designed to administer lifesaving therapy in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). When the ICD senses a dangerously high heart rate, it will send an electrical pulse to your heart to reset its normal rhythm and allow your heart to resume pumping blood through your body. This is known as defibrillation. ICDs have been used for decades and have prolonged hundreds of thousands of lives.

Types of ICDs

There are two types of ICDs being implanted today:

  • Transvenous ICD systems, also known as TV-ICDs
  • Subcutaneous ICDs, such as the EMBLEM™ S-ICD

Both types of ICDs sense when the heart rate is dangerously fast and can deliver a shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.

 

TV-ICD implant procedure

  • A TV-ICD device is typically implanted in the left shoulder area, near the collarbone.
  • Using X-ray imaging, the leads are fed through a vein into the heart and across the heart valve.
  • Depending on your heart condition, one or two leads will be placed in the heart. Once the leads are put in place, they are attached to the heart wall for optimal connectivity.
Illustration of chest with heart showing implanted ICD

An implanted TV-ICD system.

Illustration showing chest with electrode parallel to breastbone and pulse generator connection - left side of rib cage

An implanted subcutaneous S-ICD system.

 

EMBLEM™ S-ICD procedure

  • Unlike a TV-ICD device, the pulse generator in an S-ICD is typically implanted on the left side of the chest next to the rib cage and the lead is implanted just under the skin above the breastbone.
  • The EMBLEM S-ICD electrode is placed under the skin and the system delivers therapy without the need for wires implanted in the heart.
  • EMBLEM S-ICD leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched and intact.

About shock therapy

While you won't feel any noticeable sensations when your TV-ICD or S-ICD is monitoring your heart, shock therapy for an arrhythmia may be very noticeable. It's important to know what to expect in advance.

Preparing for shock therapy

Before you experience symptoms or receive a shock, talk to your health care team about a plan for contacting them and, if necessary, emergency personnel. It's also a good idea to consider the following suggestions:

  • If possible, have someone who is prepared to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should you need it and stay with you through the event
  • Make sure a friend or family member knows to call 911 if you remain unconscious
  • If you are conscious but don't feel well after a shock, have someone call your health care provider
  • If you feel fine after a shock and no more symptoms appear, it may not be necessary to seek medical help immediately. However, follow your health care provider's instructions for when to call his or her office
  • It's possible that you could feel symptoms of an arrhythmia but not receive therapy. This depends on the programmed settings of your device. For example, an arrhythmia may cause symptoms, but it may not be fast enough for your device to deliver therapy. In any case, if your symptoms are severe or continue for more than a minute or so, you should seek immediate medical attention

How shock therapy feels

With both TV-ICDs and S-ICDs, people have reported a wide range of experiences as a result of receiving a shock, from a mild thump to a kick in the chest. While the shock may be painful, it is over in an instant. This means your ICD or S-ICD device is monitoring and responding to dangerous heart rhythm irregularities. The sensation you feel may vary based on the therapy your device delivers.

Defibrillation

If your arrhythmia is very irregular and fast, your device can deliver a high-energy shock to stop the arrhythmia and return your heart to its normal rhythm. Many patients faint or become unconscious shortly after a very fast VT or VF rhythm begins. As a result, many patients do not feel these high-energy shocks. Some say the sudden but brief sensation feels like a kick in the chest. This sensation will only last for a moment. While many find the shock reassuring, other patients may be upset for a short time after the shock is delivered.

Your TV-ICD or S-ICD battery

Like any battery, the energy in your TV-ICD or S-ICD device will naturally decrease over time. The battery’s life is affected by the specific device you have, the setting your doctor programs, and how much therapy you receive.

For more information on TV-ICD battery, click here.   

For more information on S-ICD battery, click here.

TV-ICD and S-ICD implant risks

Every surgical procedure has some risks. This includes infection and bleeding. In the rare case your ICD becomes infected, removal may be required. Because the TV-ICD leads are inside the heart, removal is more complicated than removing the S-ICD leads, which are under the skin. While uncommon, your ICD could deliver a shock when not necessary, which is called an “inappropriate shock.” Ask your doctor for more information about the risks associated with ICD devices. For more detailed information you can also refer to the following pages in your respective ICD Patient Handbook.

For S-ICD go to pages 31-33 here.

For TV-ICD go to pages 44-48 here.

We’re here to help

Our patient services team is happy to help answer all your questions about living with your device.

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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Important Safety Information

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is designed to monitor and treat heart rhythm problems, greatly reducing the risks associated with them. These devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can be affected by certain sources of electric or magnetic fields. Some of the risks encountered during the implant procedure include, but are not limited to, the following: Bleeding, formation of a blood clot, damage to adjacent structures (tendons, muscles, nerves), puncture of a lung or vein, damage to the heart (perforation or tissue damage), dangerous arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke, death. Some of the risks encountered after the ICD system is implanted may include, but are not limited to, the following: Infection, erosion of the skin near your device, lead(s) may move out of place in the heart, device may move from the original implant site, difficulty coping with having an implanted device. The device might be prevented from shocking or pacing due to electromagnetic interference. Electrodes on the lead or the pacing pulses may cause an irritation or damaging effect on the surrounding tissues, including heart tissue and nerves. You may receive a shock or pacing therapy when it is not needed (unnecessary therapy). The device might not be able to detect or appropriately treat your heart rhythms. The device may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. You may experience some discomfort from the incision as you recover from the surgery. With all medical procedures there are risks associated. In rare cases device failure or death can occur. Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of this system. To obtain a copy of the device Patient Handbook for more detailed device safety information, go to www.bostonscientific.com, or you can request a copy by calling 1-866-484-3268 or writing to Boston Scientific, 4100 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55112. Rx only

S-ICD™ System
Important Safety Information

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is designed to monitor and treat heart rhythm problems, greatly reducing the risks associated with them. These devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can be affected by certain sources of electric or magnetic fields. As with all ICD systems, there are risks associated with the S-ICD System. Some of the risks that may be encountered during the implant procedure include the following: Formation of a blood clot; damage to adjacent structures (tendons, muscles, nerves); injury to or pain in upper extremity including clavicle, shoulder, and arm; dangerous arrhythmias; stroke. After the system is implanted, other infrequent risks may occur, including: Infection; erosion of the skin near your device; electrode and device may move out of place; fainting (syncope); delivery of a shock or therapy when it is not needed (unnecessary therapy); inability to detect or appropriately treat your heart rhythms due to electromagnetic interference or malfunction; difficulty coping with having an implanted device; bleeding or formation of a blood clot (hematoma); pain and discomfort; injury to or pain in upper extremity including clavicle, shoulder, and arm; allergic reaction; need for surgical replacement. You may experience some discomfort from the incision as you recover from the surgery. In rare cases severe complications can occur, such as device failures or death. Your physician should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you and describe the appropriate medical care. Refer to the product labeling for specific indications, contraindications, warnings/precautions and adverse events. Rx only

Device Quality and Reliability

It is Boston Scientific’s intent to provide implantable devices of high quality and reliability. However, these devices may exhibit malfunctions that may result in lost or compromised ability to deliver therapy. Refer to Boston Scientific’s CRM product performance report on www.bostonscientific.com for more information about device performance, including the types and rates of malfunctions that these devices have experienced historically. While historical data may not be predictive of future device performance, such data can provide important context for understanding the overall reliability of these types of products. Also, it is important that you talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of a device. 

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