Live a full life with state-of-the-art technology & unsurpassed experience...
... with the use of implantable cardiac defibrillator devices
Implantable cardiac defibrillator devices are small battery-powered devices implanted into the body and connected to the heart to treat abnormal electrical activity. Specific types of these devices detect specific abnormalities and respond by sending electrical signals to regulate muscle contractions or disrupt erratic activity in the heart. Implantable devices can help maintain a normal heart rate, interrupt life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm patterns and maintain synchrony between the heart's chambers.
What are the different types of implantable cardiac devices?
PACEMAKERS: Pacemaker devices maintain an adequate heart rate, either because the heart's own pacing system is not fast enough or because there is something blocking the heart's electrical conduction. Modern pacemakers can stimulate either the right ventricle (lower chamber), the right atrium (upper chamber) or both.
CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATORS: Cardioversion is the normalization of an abnormal heart rhythm. Defibrillation is the act of stopping irregular heart contractions. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) monitor cardiac rate and rhythm to (A) treat a rapid heartbeat and (B) disrupt fibrillation, both of which can lead to sudden death. Modern devices are also able to discriminate between different types of abnormal heartbeat patterns and respond differently.
CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION DEVICES: An important conventional heart failure treatment, cardiac resynchronization devices are pacemakers or ICDs that regulate both lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. In up to half of heart failure patients, the ventricles can be out of synch. Resynchronizing them can improve quality of life and reduce mortality for these patients. These devices can also synchronize the ventricles with atrial (upper chamber) contractions to achieve optimal cardiac function.
Optimizing treatment with high technology
Modern implantable devices are complex and fully programmable, permitting the optimization of treatment. Also, the newest generation of devices can store useful information about the type and incidence of arrhythmias, cardiac output, general condition of the patient and device function, which help in device follow-up and patient management.
Trust innovation & experience
At Pinellas Arrhythmia Associates, cardiac electrophysiologist John F. Norris, MD, provides up-to-date and experienced care for implantable cardiac defibrillator devices. He was the first in the area to implant cardiac resynchronization devices and offers the full range of leading-edge devices and techniques with a high rate of success.
For experienced implantation, including ICD for heart failure and atrial flutter treatment, or to find out more how these innovations and our other services can help you, please call Pinellas Arrhythmia Associates at (727) 587-6999. You can also use our online Request an Appointment form to schedule an appointment. Patients visit us from Clearwater, St. Petersburg (St Pete) and Tampa in Pinellas County, FL.
