Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator | Community Health

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a medical device that is implanted inside the body to prevent sudden cardiac death by performing defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing of the heart. The ICD is a first-line treatment for patients at risk for ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, and has been developed by companies such as [[boston-scientific|Boston Scientific]] and [[medtronic|Medtronic]]. According to the [[american-heart-association|American Heart Association]], ICDs have been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The device is typically replaced every 5 to 10 years, depending on the type and model, with advances in technology such as [[lithium-ion-batteries|lithium-ion batteries]] and [[rechargeable-batteries|rechargeable batteries]] allowing for longer battery life. As noted by [[mayo-clinic|Mayo Clinic]], proper maintenance and follow-up care are crucial to ensuring the device functions correctly and the patient receives the best possible outcome.