Scheduled for an ICD

Scheduled for an ICD

by justice - 2018-02-12 22:41:13

I am not sure I know what an "EP" is

EP

by The real Patch - 2018-02-13 11:45:15

EP is an Electrophysiologist which is a Cardiologist who specializes and has training in the electrical systems of the heart. They are usually the ones who implant pacemakers, defibrillators, and CRT's.

An ICD will not help with EF unless you are paced at or near full time. The ICD itself is a monitor that watches for certain conditions then provides a jolt (shock) to provide therapy so as such can't do much to help with the ejection of blood.

Stop worrying about inappropriate shocks, they are rare and the manufacturer's have improved programming which eliminated the risk significantly. Most people who have a defibrillator never get a shock, it's just a pocket protector in case.

ICD

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2018-02-13 21:59:03

I have an ICD and low EF caused by a prior heart attack.  The heart damage also caused an enlargement of the heart creating electrical problems that the ICD deals with.  In my case, the ICD handles rhythm issues but has no capability of addressing heart muscle and enlargement issues caused by the heart attack.  I don't expect any improvement of my EF because of heart structural issues.

Likely your situation is different.  Recommend seeing an EP.

I am not concerned about faulty shocks or jolts.  The ICD is a complex device  that knows which of several therapies is needed.  Ask your doc for an explanation of each potential therapy.  

pm to icd upgrade

by islandgirl - 2018-02-15 16:13:44

I was upgraded from a PM to an ICD about 16 months ago.  I had a sudden cardiac arrest for unknown reason.

They had to upgrade my ventricular lead for the ICD.  They removed my old lead, as my ICD is MRI compliant and you can't have a loose lead to have an MRI.  Make sure the EP has experience with lead removal.  

My EP has got me on a cocktail of meds to protect me from ventricular arrhythmias.  I have not been shocked but have been paced out of lethal arrhythmias.  It's common to be concerned about a shock.  I think the ICDs are much better than they used to be as far as inappropriate shocks.  

ICDs

by malors - 2018-04-01 09:32:07

Dear All 

I am sufferring from 'heart flutter' as my Cardiologist says. I am not used to all the terminology you use so please explain what you are saying in simple terms. This is all new stuff to me. I have just been talking to one or two people so far about my condition.

I am due to see my cardiologist on Wednesday evening as an extension to his already full appointsment list. This has made me feel he is taking this return to flutter after my Cardioversion very seriously and it is a worry to me. I desperately want to return to my usual lifestyle with a heart that can cope and one that i can trust to allow me to live my life to the extant that i want to live. I am in search of an awful lot of happiness after a long time of sadness after my wife dying of Progressive MS that I believe it can't cope with the amount of suppressed love that i have built up inside me. Could a ICD help provide the shock and Pacemaker qualities that i need to release this love that just can't stop coming out. Such love that i experienced when i first fell in love with my wife and throughout our marriage with our three children who also can't cope with the change in my personality which has come about so rapidly after my heart started its initial flutter. other people who dont know me are amazed at how lovely a man I am but dont understand its just a natural thing to me to sustain my happiness.