Implantable Defibrillator
"Sometimes the defibrillator is associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy, thus improving the heart failure that the patient sometimes also suffers".
DR. IGNACIO GARCÍA BOLAO DIRECTOR. CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
What is the purpose of the implantable defibrillator?
The implantable defibrillator is a device that allows the treatment of patients suffering from or at risk of severe ventricular arrhythmias.
It is generally indicated for patients who have suffered an episode of cardiac arrest due to severe ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation).
It can also be given to some subgroups of patients who, although they have never experienced these arrhythmias, are at risk of suffering them.
The Clinic has a system for remote control of defibrillators that sends daily information from the patients' homes.
When is an implantable defibrillator placed?
In some patients with severe, potentially lethal arrhythmias, it is necessary to implant an implantable automatic defibrillator, which restores normal heart rhythm by automatically applying electrical shocks.
The defibrillator controls the heart rhythm permanently. When it detects an arrhythmia, it uses different treatments by means of electrical impulses to suppress it.
Depending on the severity of the arrhythmia, the defibrillator automatically applies softer treatments (antitachycardia stimulation) or more radical ones (cardioversion by electric shock), which can occasionally be perceived by the patient.
Most frequent indications:
Do you have any of these diseases?
An automatic defibrillator may need to be implanted
How is an automatic implantable defibrillator placed?
During implantation, one or more electrodes are placed inside the heart chambers, through the subclavian vein. These electrodes will be permanently lodged in their final location, connected to the defibrillator which, in turn, is implanted under the skin in the right infraclavicular region.
The defibrillator acts by controlling the heart rhythm permanently. When it detects the presence of an arrhythmia, it is capable of applying different treatment modalities by means of electrical impulses to suppress it.
Depending on the severity of the arrhythmia, the defibrillator can automatically apply softer treatments (antitachycardia stimulation) or more radical ones (cardioversion by electric shock), which can occasionally be perceived by the patient.
Sometimes the defibrillator is associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy, thus improving the heart failure that the patient sometimes also suffers.
The recovery from the intervention is rapid and allows for hospital discharge in two or three days.
Patients who carry an implantable defibrillator can live a practically normal life.
These patients only have to undergo specific check-ups every three to six months and take a few precautions that will be communicated to them by their doctors.
Recovery from the procedure is rapid and allows the patient to be discharged from the hospital in two or three days.
When the batteries run out, approximately every six years, it is necessary to replace the defibrillator.
What clinical trials do we have on implantable defibrillator?
Where do we do it?
EN NAVARRA Y MADRID
The Department of Cardiology
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Department of Cardiology of the Clinica Universidad de Navarra is a center of reference in different diagnostic techniques and coronary treatments.
We have been the first center in Europe to place a pacemaker by means of a catheterization without the need to open the chest, for cases of severe heart failure.
The Cardiology Department of the Clinic collaborates with the Radiology and Cardiac Surgery Departments to achieve a quick and precise diagnosis of the patient.
Why at the Clinica?
- Specialized Arrhythmia Unit of national reference.
- Unit of Hemodynamics and Interventionist Cardiology equipped with the best technology.
- Cardiac Imaging Unit to achieve the highest diagnostic accuracy.
Our team of professionals
Cardiology specialists with experience in implantable defibrillator treatment
