How is a cardioverter-defibrillator implanted?
Before the ICD is implanted, your doctor will look at your size and shape, note any previous chest surgeries you may have had and the activities that you like to do. The pulse generator may be implanted either under your collarbone on the left or right side of your chest, or in your abdomen (tummy area). In either place, the generator can be put in a “pocket” the doctor makes under your skin or, sometimes, in your muscles. One end of the lead wire is put into a vein that goes to your heart. The wire is moved through the vein until it reaches the heart. The other end of the wire is attached to the pulse generator. When the system is in place, your doctor will make your heart go into a fast rhythm to test the ICD. At this time, the doctor will program the ICD to treat your specific heart rhythm problem. How will an ICD affect my lifestyle? So that you can heal well, your doctor will want you to limit your activities for the first few weeks after you get the ICD. Then you can slowly go ba
