Pacemakers and ICD Insertions

Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps regulate electrical problems with the heart. A pacemaker gets implanted in the chest just below the collarbone, usually on your non-dominant side. (If you are right-handed, the device is placed in your upper left chest. If you are left-handed, the device is placed in your upper right chest).

Your physician might recommend a pacemaker when a problem develops—such as a slow heart rate—to ensure that the heartbeat does not slow to a dangerously low rate.

Biventricular pacemaker
A biventricular pacemaker is a newer type of pacemaker that physicians use to treat congestive heart failure.

Sometimes in heart failure, the two ventricles do not pump in a normal manner. When this happens, the heart pumps less blood.

A biventricular pacemaker paces both ventricles at the same time, increasing the amount of blood pumped by the heart. This type of treatment is called cardiac resynchronization therapy, or CRT.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
An ICD is another type of electronic device that helps regulate electrical problems with the heart. Like a pacemaker, it gets implanted just below the collarbone.

An ICD monitors the heart's electrical activity, and responds with either anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) or shock therapy to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.