Internal Defibrillator Placement

Internal defibrillator placement refers to the surgical implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device below the collarbone in the chest or possibly in the abdomen. This device monitors the electrical activity of the heart and, when necessary, emits electrical pulses or a higher-energy shock to help control arrhythmias in children and adult patients that may cause sudden cardiac arrest. The ICD can also provide doctors with recorded information on the patient’s heart rhythms and instances in which the device was deployed over a period of time. Patients who have experienced a heart attack, heart failure or other serious cardiac condition may be recommended for an ICD device depending on their specific condition.