Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: "
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is used in patients at risk for recurrent, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.

The device is connected to leads positioned inside the heart or on its surface. These leads are used to deliver electrical shocks, sense the cardiac rhythm and sometimes pace the heart, as needed. The various leads are tunnelled to a pulse generator, which is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen. These generators are typically a little larger than a wallet and have electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms recognized as abnormal. Newer devices are smaller and have simpler lead systems. They can be installed through blood vessels, eliminating the need for open chest surgery.

When an implantable cardioverter defibrillator detects ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it shocks the heart to restore the normal rhythm. New devices also provide overdrive pacing to electrically convert a sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 'backup' pacing if bradycardia occurs. They also offer a host of other sophisticated functions (such as storage of detected arrhythmic events and the ability to do 'noninvasive' electrophysiologic testing).

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have been very useful in preventing sudden death in patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Studies are now being done to find out how best to use them and whether they may have a role in preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk patients who haven't had, but are at risk for, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

According to the American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Statistical Update, in 1998 (the most recent statistics available) there were 26,000 ICD procedures.

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Great Defibrillators win "The Ridge Goes Red 2005"

Defibrillators Shock the Field at "The Ridge Goes Red 2005": "Defibrillators Shock the Field at 'The Ridge Goes Red 2005'"

The Defibrillators showed that they’ve got a lot of heart on Feb. 4 and 5. The team of four teenagers took first place in The Ridge Goes Red 2005 – a 24-hour ski and snowboard relay race at Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady – tallying 1,313 runs in 24 hours.

The race got underway at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, and 18 teams worked through the night and day before kicking off their skis and boards at 7 p.m. Feb. 5. Each team consisted of four people, and one person from each team was required to be on the mountain at all times.

The Ridge Goes Red 2005 served as a fund-raiser for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women program. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women – one in every 2.5 women die of heart disease or stroke – and Go Red For Women raises funds and awareness in an effort to change those statistics.

Each team was required to raise at least $100 in donations for the Go Red For Women program, and the event raised a total of $3,600. Exceeds Expectations, a team from Duanesburg (Kyle Burton, Chelsey Charpentier, Justin Dykeman and Stephanie Seigel), led the way with $476. The Flakes, also from Duanesburg, turned in $453.

The Defibrillators, of Guilderland, were made up of Kevin Butler, J.P. MacFartlan, Frank Tralongo and Mike Tralongo. They finished more than 300 runs ahead of the next team.

The American Heart Association’s Capital Region Go Red For Women events are made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: National Sponsors Macy’s and Pfizer; Daily Newspaper Sponsor the Albany Times Union; Television Sponsor WNYT; and Radio Sponsors 94 Rock and 93.7 The New Eagle. KeyBank also is a supporter of Go Red For Women.

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ARTICLES IN FILE
1	Plano-Man-Sues-Over-Flawed-Heart-Defibrillator
2	Guidant Defibrillator Patients Urged to Register For Information Updates
3	Frequently Asked Questions about the Guidant Recall
4	E Defibrillator com Explains the Function of Defibrillators
5	E Defibrillator com Explains the Benefits of Portable Defibrillators
6	Defective Heart Defibrillators Recalled by Guidant Corporation 2
7	Defective Heart Defibrillators Recalled by Guidant Corporation