Device implantation is a cutting-edge cardiac procedure used to manage heart rhythm disorders, ensuring that your heart beats at a healthy and steady pace. If you’ve been diagnosed with conditions like arrhythmia, heart failure, or other rhythm disturbances, device implantation can be a life-changing solution. These devices help regulate your heart’s electrical signals, improving both heart function and overall quality of life.
There are three main types of devices used in device implantation:
Pacemaker: A pacemaker helps to maintain a regular heart rate when your heart beats too slowly (bradycardia). It sends electrical signals to the heart to ensure that it contracts and pumps blood efficiently.
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): For those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to dangerously fast heartbeats (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation), an ICD monitors your heart rhythm and delivers a shock to restore a normal heartbeat when needed.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): This device is used for heart failure patients whose heart’s ventricles do not beat in sync. By sending electrical pulses to both sides of the heart, CRT helps improve heart efficiency and reduces symptoms of heart failure.
During the procedure, a small device (pacemaker, ICD, or CRT) is implanted just under the skin, typically near the collarbone. The device is connected to your heart through thin, insulated wires called leads. These leads detect your heart’s rhythm and deliver electrical impulses or shocks when necessary, ensuring your heart maintains a healthy beat.
