Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias can be life threatening and require an electrical shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm. Patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death may require an implantable cardiac defibrillator or ICD, which can deliver a life-saving shock if the heart starts to beat too fast or in a chaotic pattern.
Atrial fibrillation causes the heart to beat out of rhythm. To get the heart beating normally again, sometimes the heart is 'shocked' into normal rhythm. The idea of shocking the heart may be intimidating, but it's actually a quick and painless procedure.
When diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, the first line treatment that cardiologists typically recommend is medications. However, over time the medications may no longer be effective or may not provide symptom relief. In these cases your health care provider may recommend a heart procedure known as catheter ablation.
The procedure for implanting an ICD is often routine and relatively easy for the patient. The health care team will tell the patient how to prepare for surgery and what to expect during the procedure.
