How long is defibrillator surgery

However, the defibrillator's leads most likely will not be replaced. Defibrillator therapy is part of a larger treatment program that may include medications, proper nutrition, moderate physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices. Breadcrumb Home Medical services Heart and vascular care Your cardiovascular health Defibrillator implant surgery Defibrillator implant surgery. The device can be set to restore normal heart rhythm in several ways: Anti-tachycardia pacing ATP , or "overdrive pacing," is a sequence of electrical impulses delivered to the heart when it beats dangerously fast tachycardia.

Cardioversion is a low-energy shock delivered at the same time as a heart beat after a sequence of ATP impulses fails to restore normal heart rate. Bradycardia pacing is needed when the heart beats too slowly bradycardia. Electrical impulses will speed the heart rate. Defibrillation will stop a severely abnormal heart rhythm by delivering a high-energy shock.

Defibrillator implant surgery Defibrillators usually are implanted through small incisions in the skin, near the collarbone. After defibrillator implantation Following surgery, you need to visit the electrophysiologist for routine follow-up visits. Then, you'll be attached to heart monitors and a cannula will be inserted in a vein in your arm. You will be given medication to help you relax and provide pain relief throughout the procedure.

During your defibrillator surgery:. Afterwards, there will be a bulge visible under the skin where the ICD has been inserted. The procedure usually takes hours to complete. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for managing your wound. The site of the surgery may feel tender or sore and have some bruising — this should go away after a few weeks.

This includes avoiding clothes that apply pressure to your wound, and not lifting anything greater than 5kg for at least one month. For information, including guidelines and tips for travelling by car or plane with an ICD, you can visit our travel page. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD controls your heart rhythm by delivering shocks to your heart when it detects an abnormal heartbeat.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Defibrillators. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed May 19, Ganz LI.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: Overview of indications, components, and functions. Epstein AE, et al. Devices that may interfere with implantable cardioverter defibrillators ICDs and pacemakers. American Heart Association. Living with your implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD. Implanted cardiac devices. Mayo Clinic; Cardiac implantable electronic devices: Long-term complications. Al-Khatib SM, et al.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Wilcox ME, et al. Recent developments in the subcutaneous ICD. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. Asirvatham SJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. June 26, Accessed April 8, Steinberg S, et al. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Stoevelaar R, et al. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation and advance care planning: A focus group study. When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. How can you care for yourself at home?

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. For 4 to 6 weeks: Avoid activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles.

This includes pushing a lawn mower or vacuum, mopping floors, swimming, or swinging a golf club or tennis racquet. Do not raise your arm, on the side of your body where the ICD is located, above shoulder level. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or heavy aerobic exercise. Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a child.

Ask your doctor when you can drive again. You will probably need to take about 1 to 2 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. Drink plenty of fluids unless your doctor tells you not to. Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again.