Defibrillators
Real life external defibrillation is seldom as dramatic as seen in the movies or on television. The patient’s muscles do not convulse and jerk with each jolt, nor is there a “flat-line” asystole (ECG rhythm), since a heart that has stopped beating cannot really be restarted with a defibrillator. There are certain situations when defibrillators are used when the patient is not in cardiac arrest, such as supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia, but this procedure is known as cardioversion, not defibrillation.
Most importantly, though, the external defibrillators carried on airplanes and emergency vehicles are for emergencies. If you have a chronic heart condition, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, surgical correction of inadequate coronary blood by implanting a cardiac pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may prevent cardiac arrest.
Some of the Best Florida Thoracic Surgeons
Defibrillation monitors and sends out an electrical pulse to the heart muscle, halting the arrhythmia (heart beats too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern) or ventricular malfunction, and allowing the body’s natural pacemaker to resume normal sinus rhythm in the sinoatrial node of the heart. Continuously monitoring the heart rhythm, and automatically administering shocks when needed, today’s latest technology offers defibrillators capable of distinguishing between ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and less dangerous arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. ICDs are usually permanent. The electrical shocks may take a while to get used to, but their advantages outweigh minor adjustments.
When an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (or ICD), also known as an automatic internal cardiac defibrillator (AICD), is necessary, be sure to consult with our team of Florida thoracic surgeons at Ocala Heart Institute to discuss your best options.
Strenuous activities should be curtailed for about a month after surgery. Keep cell phones six inches from your defibrillator to avoid signal interference. Be cautious of airport scanners and metal detectors and ask for an alternative. The American Heart Association advises against driving for six months after surgery if you’ve experienced previous cardiac arrest.
Consult with one of Ocala Heart’s Florida Cardiologists
Ocala Heart Institute thoracic surgery Florida specialists are experienced in all facets of cardiovascular care from senior citizens to small children. Our software modeling system maps the thorax and pinpoints the optimal positioning for implantation of pacemakers and/or defibrillators.
