Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Medical science has greatly improved the efficiency and usage of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators. Today's pacemakers and defibrillators are very small and light. More than 2,000 people have received these devices at the University of Chicago Hospitals Cardiac Center.

Pacemakers

Pacemakers are small, electronic devices used to treat excessively slow heart rhythms (bradycardia). Physicians here use advanced pacemakers that adjust heart rate according to changes in the body's activity level or demand for oxygen. Thus, the pacemaker adjusts heart rate when the person is resting, exercising, under stress, etc.

Cardiac Center heart rhythm specialists regularly perform pacemaker implantation as an outpatient procedure in our state-of-the-art electrophysiology lab. Implantation involves the insertion of pacemaker leads (wires) into the heart through a catheter, or thin tube that is inserted into the body through a blood vessel. These leads are attached to the pacemaker device which is inserted beneath the skin near the collarbone or the stomach.

Defibrillators

Defibrillators, also called implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), can help many people who have life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, like ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Unchecked, these conditions can cause sudden death. The pager-sized ICD is implanted under the skin, and includes a pulse generator with electrodes that connect to the heart. With its powerful battery and miniature computer, the pulse generator can monitor heart rhythm. When the internal computer senses a dangerous arrhythmia coming, it delivers a low-energy electrical current to restore heart rhythm. Like pacemakers, ICDs are usually implanted during an outpatient procedure.

Cardiac Center heart rhythm specialists are at the forefront of ICD usage and research. Our electrophysiologists work hand in hand with emergency medicine physicians to identify patients who may be at risk for--or are survivors of-- cardiac arrest. Many of these patients can be helped with ICDs.

More Information

• Diagnostic Services
• Medical Care & Ablation
• Atrial Fibrillation Surgery
• Pacemakers and Defibrillators