What does an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) do and how does it work?
An ICD is a device placed under the skin primarily by a cardiologist who specializes in disorders of the electrical rhythm of the heart, or cardiac arrhythmias. It is used in those patients who develop life threatening ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia (fast heart rate). ICDs consist of 2 parts: (a) Leads or thin wires that sense the cardiac rhythm and deliver electrical shocks as needed, often through overdrive pacing. These leads are attached to (b) A pulse generator which is the palpable box implanted under the skin of the upper left chest in most patients. When the ICD detects life threatening ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the defibrillator shocks the heart back into a normal heart rhythm. 2) Why are Sprint Fidelis® leads being recalled? Five people have died due to fractures of Sprint Fidelis® leads, leading to unnecessary electrical discharges or defective sensing and capturing of electrical cardiac impulses. This problem is unde
