People who are candidates for an implantable defibrillator as prevention from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) may have one or more of the risk factors - have had a heart attack, have suffered a previous sudden cardiac arrest, have an irregular heartbeat. Implanting a defibrillator heart device involves making a small 2-inch incision in the upper chest, and guiding heart leads (thin insulated wires) through a vein and into your heart. It is not an open heart procedure. Patients are generally awake throughout the implanting defibrillator procedure and a local anesthesia is typically used.
Your doctor will then connect the heart lead wires to the implanted defibrillator heart device and program the defibrillator settings. Finally, the heart device will be inserted beneath the skin and the incision in your chest will be closed. Most people stay in the hospital overnight and go home the next day.
Before the procedure you will be given medication to make you sleepy and comfortable. After the implant you may see a slight bulge under your skin where the device is located. The leads are very thin and will not be visible.
You will usually stay in the hospital overnight and receive instructions for home care. You may be asked to restrict movement of the arm near the device for a short period after the implant.
