Implantable Heart Devices - ICD, Pacemaker

ICD and Pacemaker Surgery In Hyderabad

Patients who are suffering from irregularities in heartbeat rhythms may become fatal if left untreated and will have to undergo corrective surgery. They may be suffering from a condition of rapid and fast heartbeat which is called tachycardia. In such patients, cardiologists decide to put an implantable device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). People who are suffering from slower heartbeats than normal, called bradycardia, need a pacemaker to be inserted under their skin to manage irregular heartbeat. CARE Hospitals provides peacemaker surgery in Hyderabad with well-experienced and well-qualified surgeons and provides you with the best treatment. 

Symptoms of Tachycardia and Bradycardia

Following are some common symptoms of tachycardia and bradycardia:

• Dizziness and fainting

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pains

• Memory problems

• Seizures

• Repeated palpitations.

Diagnosis 

Following are the tests performed for an accurate diagnosis before proceeding with a heart device implantation: 

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

This is a quick and painless diagnostic procedure that measures the electrical activity of the heart. 

• Holter monitor

This is a portable ECG device to be worn at home for a day to record the heart's rhythm during normal activities.

• Event monitor

This is also a portable ECG device to be worn for a month's duration or until the patient exhibits symptoms.

• Transthoracic echocardiogram (echo or TTE)

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a type of echocardiogram that provides still or moving images of the internal regions of the heart using ultrasound.

• Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

A Transoesophageal echocardiogram is a type of echocardiogram which makes use of echocardiography to assess the working of the heart.

• Tilt Table Test 

In a tilt table test, a patient is made to lie down on a table horizontally which is then made to rotate vertically to resemble the position of standing up.

Treatments and procedures offered by CARE Hospitals

1. ICD - Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

What is an ICD?

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an implant designed to monitor heart rhythms all day long. An ICD continuously monitors the heart and automatically delivers therapies to correct fast rhythms when necessary. 

How does an ICD work?

If a patient's heart is beating too fast or irregularly, the ICD device will send small painless electric signals to correct the heartbeat rhythms. If the fast heartbeat continues, the ICD device will deliver a shock to restore the heart rate to normal rates. After the ICD device is implanted, a cardiologist can monitor and program the device using an external computer called a programmer, and retrieve information from the device to assist the patient in the heart failure treatment. The cardiologist will schedule periodic monitoring if deemed necessary. 

When is an ICD needed?

Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are two heart rhythm irregularities that can prove to be fatal if left untreated. A cardiologist may recommend ICD for a patient if any of these episodes trouble the patient or are at a high risk of developing these heart rhythm irregularities. 

An ICD implant may be recommended for people who:

• had a prior episode of sudden cardiac arrest

• had one or more episodes of ventricular tachycardia

• had one prior episode of ventricular fibrillation

• have a history of heart attack and have an increased risk of suffering a sudden cardiac arrest

• have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

2. Pacemaker

What is a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is an electrical medical device that is implanted under the skin to help manage arrhythmias and treat some types of heart failures. A pacemaker generates electrical impulses that help the heartbeat at a normal rhythm, rate, or both.

How does a pacemaker work?

The sinus node of a person's heart is responsible for sending electrical impulses for maintaining the normal rhythm of the heart. When there is a malfunctioning of the sinus node or there are blockages in the pathway of an electric signal to the atria, the pacemaker temporarily takes over the role of the sinus node. Electrical impulses sent by the pacemaker make the heart contract on demand. However, pacemakers do not send electric shocks.

When is a pacemaker needed?

A patient may need a pacemaker transplanted in any of the following conditions:

• The patient has a type of heart blockage that hinders or delays electric signals travelling through the heart and makes heartbeats slower,

• Medications for treating arrhythmia are not working and the heartbeats have become dangerously fast,

• The patient has a case of heart failure that causes the heart to beat out of sync.

• A pacemaker is often life-saving for such patients and greatly improves the quality of life. A pacemaker is lightweight, small-sized, and barely noticeable after being implanted.

How do CARE Hospitals help?

The multidisciplinary team at CARE Hospitals provides treatment at par with international standards backed by unmatched medical expertise and the latest technology. We perform conventional as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures to benefit patients in terms of shorter hospital stays and recovery periods with excellent clinical outcomes and also provide a very reasonable and affordable peacemaker surgery cost in Hyderabad.