ICD (implantable defibrillator) is an electronic device. The device is used to shock the heart back into a healthy rhythm. The pacemaker is implanted in the body (in the chest area) and is used to prevent cardiac arrest from severe ventricular tachycardia (a quickly fluttering heart beat). The device works through an electrode that is inserted into the heart. The wire (lead) is connected to a tiny computer in the defibrillator.

The lead(s) are positioned in the right ventricle and also in the right atrium (when needed). A pocket is formed under the skin of the upper chest. The pacemaker is then connected to its leads. Most pacemaker surgery is done under local anesthesia. Additional medicine may be given in an IV to help the patient relax. The procedure typically takes 1 to 1 ? hours.

Standard electric toothbrushes and ultrasonic toothbrushes should not interfere with an implanted pacemaker. When we tested two ultrasonic toothbrush models with St. Jude Medical pacemakers, there was no adverse interaction. There haven't been any patient or clinical reports of an interaction between ultrasonic toothbrushes and pacemakers.

Once the pacemaker is implanted, it is important that the patient be followed by a pacemaker clinic or a commercial group that specializes in pacemaker follow-up. The physician implanting the pacemaker should help the patient arrange appropriate follow-up. Pacemaker follow-up is usually done on a defined schedule. The schedule may vary depending on who is in charge of following or checking the pacemaker.

We are not sure but a customer reported that Medtronics, a company that manufactures defibulators, said it was not affected. (Richard Dawson) For a pacemaker we don't know.

You should immediately consult with your physician to determine if your model is part of the recall, if your defibrillator is defective, and whether the risk of surgery is better than the risk of keeping your defective Guidant defibrillator unit.

DFT stands for defibrillator function test. This is a very simple, safe procedure done under sedation to check the ICD functions correctly. You will be admitted to hospital as a day case and discharged when the effect of the sedation has worn off a couple of hours after the procedure.

The programmable pump will not be damaged by therapy pulses from the pacemaker or ICD. However, it is recommended to keep the programming head for the pacemaker or ICD at least 10cm (4 inches) away from the pump to minimise any potential interference. It also is important to keep the programming head of the pump programmer away from the pacemaker or ICD because the programming head contains a large magnet.

Absolutely. Never withhold defibrillation use from a person in cardiac arrest. If the person in question meets all the criteria of cardiac arrest (unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse) they are essentially "dead."

In many cases, both the pacemaker and the neurostimulator can be mutually compatible. Appropriate testing, placement and programming of the devices can help in achieving mutual compatibility. Under certain conditions, it is possible that the pacemaker or ICD could detect the output stimuli from a neurostimulator. This would cause inappropriate pacemaker or ICD operation during the time the stimuli are detected and possibly cause the delivery of an inadvertent shock.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes if the pacemaker is shielded. If it is 10 years or older, you should consult your physician or pacemaker manufacturer.

In the old days, the devices were implanted left of the belly button with a long cable running under the breast, up near the collar bone, and down into the heart. Now that engineers found ways to make the ICD smaller, they are usually implanted in the left upper chest - eliminating some of the persistent pain that goes with the long cable which can move around.

Pacemakers are powered by long-lasting lithium batteries. However, all pacemakers need to be replaced at some time. The exact replacement time for your pacemaker depends upon the type of pacemaker, the medical condition necessitating a pacemaker, lifestyle issues, and other factors. Various methods are used to indicate when the pacemaker needs to be replaced. Your physician will be able to determine the need for a new pacemaker during regular follow-up visits.

Most pacemakers will last between 8 and 10 years, after which the entire pacemaker or its battery and/or wire(s) need to be replaced. Replacing a pacemaker may be done on an outpatient basis or may include an overnight stay in the hospital.

first, you may feel the weight of the pacemaker in your chest. However, over time, most people become accustomed to the pacemaker. The generator is very small, about the size of two silver dollars stacked on top of each other, and weighs about an ounce or less, depending on the make and model of the device.

Currently, the EVAHEART is not available for use in the United States. Clinical trials began in Japan during May, 2005. The clinical trial in the US is planned for late 2008, and will be as a bridge to transplantation. For both trials, the EVAHEART will only be available through enrollment at certain hospitals. Contact EMUSA for further details.

Intacs. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, but less with the laser. The cornea is marked for the ring position (centered on the iris or pupil, depending on whether it is the Standard or SK model), a 1.2mm incision is made using a triple-edged diamond knife with a guard which limits depth at the implantation site to about 50-75% corneal thickness at the site.