Why Pacemakers and ICDs?

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can keep your heart functioning. We perform minor surgery to attach the device under the skin of the upper chest.

Pacemaker or ICD: What’s the Difference?

Your cardiologist may recommend an implantable device if you have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Options include the following:

• Pacemaker: This helps your heart keep a consistent rhythm, slowing down or speeding up your heartbeat as needed.
• ICD: This monitors your heartbeat and shocks your heart into action if it fails to beat for a certain number of seconds.
• Pacemaker with ICD (biventricular pacemaker): This monitors your heart rhythms and keeps both sides of your heart (left and right ventricles) pumping in sync.

Common Conditions

We may recommend implantable devices for people with cardiac conditions. These include the following:

• Ventricular fibrillation: A type of arrhythmia that can cause cardiac arrest and loss of consciousness.
• Ventricular tachycardia: A rapid, abnormal heartbeat that may be caused by heart disease.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): A type of heart failure in which the lower left part of the heart cannot properly pump blood.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Involves a thickened, enlarged heart muscle that has difficulty pumping blood.

This treatment is intended for patients who have received an arrhythmia diagnosis. Speak with your care team to determine if this treatment is right for you.