Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Question: Are implantable cardioverter defibrillators synchronous? or not synchronized? So if you have v tach without a pulse, Im gussing the defibrillator would do its job and shock up to 3 times. And if they have a pulse, cardioverter would do its job here. So is this machine synchronized or not. Im very confused.

Answer: Defibrillation, by definition, cannot be synchronized, there is no rhythm to synchronize it to. Cardioversion can be synchronized, however, I believe in a tachycardia significant enough to trigger the AICD were detected, the shock would not be delivered in a synchronous fashion, if you're in a ventricular rhythm, there is really no need to synchronize a shock.

Question: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators? May be a silly question, but if you have an Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) fitted, what happens when you die and heart stops, will it just re-start it? I'm due to have one due to an electrical problems in my heart and I've been told that it'll re-start my heart should it stop, but what happens when I'm old and die or in an accident? The doctor wasn;t happy asking too many questions and I think this one might of made him shout at me!! :-( Thanks

Answer: ICDs are sophisticated pieces of medical equipment which are designed to provide a shock to your heart if and only if your heart is in a fatal rhythm. Like with pacemakers you will be given an ICD passport and it is worth getting a medic alert braclet (or something similar) which would inform medical staff of your underlying heart condition if you were found unconscious. If you were to die it is important for your family to know the icd has been removed especially if you opt for cremation as it is a battery and it would explode. there is information about these devices on the link below just go to the publications section and type in icd. Like somebody else suggested if your cardiologist is not willing to answer your questions with out loosing his patients ask to be referred to a different specialist. I am a paediatric cardiac nurse in the uk

Question: How to relieve pain from Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Surgery? ? My dad recently had the surgery and now the area is swollen. He's claiming severe pain, and he's been to the hospital twice, since the surgery was done 3 weeks ago, but he's still feeling pain. It was swelling but the swelling burst? What do you recommend I do? Serious answers only please Sources will also be appreciated with any medical advice he just came back this afternoon, after going this morning. it's a really good hospital but do you recommend that I take him to another one?

Answer: He needs to contact his surgeon urgently. I would assume that cultures have been taken -etc.. but don't know. What is happening to him is not right and could be dangerous. I developed a staph infection when I had bypass surgery and the medical people all but panicked. It's hard for me to fathom that an ER did not look at this very closely.

Question: What are Indiana Department of Transportationregulations for Driving w/ Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator What is the IN department of Transportation rules and regulations for driving a semi having had a CDL and just had to have an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator put in. Can I still Drive a truck and Maintain my Class A CDL?

Answer: As you can see english is spoken in many different forms

Question: How do doctors decide who needs an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator? Obviously not everyone who goes into V fib gets one - so what are the criteria used in determining which patients get one? alexis, are you a med. student? Indeed, put down the bottle and come up with mnemonics for your anatomy class!!!! :-) good luck girlie:-)

Answer: I've attached a link (to a pdf file from the AHA) to what I believe are the most recent guidelines. This is outside my area, so I can't summarize for you, though perhaps someone here can.

Question: Does any one have an 'implantable cardioverter defibrillator'? What is it like having to live with one of these? In what way (besides keeping you alive) has it affected your life?

Answer: I met someone recently who had a similar device. We were both in a cardiac ward. It had given him a few shocks one day, just a few weeks after implantation. He said it was just like being electrocuted. There was no warning. I think he was nervous of it happening again, but aware that it probably saved his life. The technicians had to change the settings a bit to make it less likely to trigger. I think that's normal, its a matter of balance.

Question: Is there risk going in the sun for an extended period of time with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator?

Answer: Manufacturer's literature and "training" have not indicated sun exposure is an issue on my defibrillator, Boston Scientific. However, some of the drugs I take (Lasix) cautions against exposure to sunlight. If you get badly burnt, it really impacts the body and no doubt effects the heart. Take precautions.

Question: Can you play laser tag with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator??

Answer: I have one and I can't see why not. Unless there is a metal detector at the entrance. Play if you are up to it.

Question: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator? Have you had success with this? Or is a family member having success? I learned this morning from my mom that my dad's heart is only working 25% and needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Also known as ICD. At the end of the month a specialist is coming to town and he will be scheduled for this surgery. Is there anyone out there who has this, or has a family member that has this that is doing great on it? I'm just scared. My mom and I and the doctor (before this diagnosis), was always pushing my dad to exercise and walk to help him lose weight etc. Now I'm thinking it was a blessing that he didn't push himself because that could have caused him to have a heart attack! This whole ICD is a scary thought (and I'm sure more so for my dad), and I just need some reassurance that there are many success stories out there with this procedure. Any positive feedback is greatly appreciated! :-)

Answer: Helps strengthen heart http://www.healthy-heart-guide.com/benef… Also try and get him to drink a 10 oz glass of Pomegranate juice twice a day. it actually softens the blood vessels and keeps plac from sticking to them. Also , if he has the ICD and gets excited it may make the garage door go up and down if it's on a remote

Question: Truck Driving HealthRegulations Indiana Department of Transportation w/ Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator I have had my CDL and have driven a semi for 18 years. I recently had to have an Implantalbe Carioverter Defibrillator put in. Can I still drive and maintain my Class A CDL license?

Answer: I know this is not a definite answer for you but... In Pennsylvania your doctor or an assigned State Doctor has to sign the papers for your CDL. So that is the place I would check first. If Indiana allows you to use your Doctor it makes it all the easier to find out the answer.