Download A new style of defibrillator can detect abnormal heart rhythms and

A new style of defibrillator can detect abnormal heart rhythms and deliver shocks to restore heart rate
without touching the heart according to the American Heart Association journal.
The subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD®) is implanted under the skin with a lead
running along the left side of the sternum whereas implantable cardiac defibrillators, or ICDs, have
wires that are inserted into veins and arteries connected to the heart.
Surgeons will be able to insert the new device without using an X-Ray to see where they are
operating and there are fewer complications such as broken wires, damage to the blood vessels,
infection and scarring.
ICDs can greatly reduce the patient’s risk of death from cardiac arrest.
Martin C. Burke, D.O., senior author of the study and a professor of medicine and director of the Heart
Rhythm Center at the University of Chicago, said, "Defibrillation has repeatedly proven to be a great
asset in prolonging the lives of cardiac patients, but there are still some risks to address. This new
system was developed over a dozen years to combine some of the best aspects of traditional
implanted ICDs and external defibrillators."
The S-ICD® study, which took place in 33 separate sites, surpassed US Food and Drug
Administration goals for safety and effectiveness. It found that 99% of patients remained
complication-free for up to 180 days after the implantation and the S-ICD® was 100% effective at
spotting and counteracting ventricular fibrillation, a uncoordinated contraction of the heart muscle
which could lead on to a heart attack.
A comparison between the ICDs and the S-ICD® is in motion. The 314 participants who had the SICD® implanted and new patients will be monitored to track the performance of the device over time.
It is hoped that this data will be able to determine what type of patients will benefit most from the
machine.
Burke said that the S-ICD® is not a replacement for current models of defibrillators as it will be
inappropriate for some patients such as those with slow heartbeats or using a certain type of
pacemaker.
The S-ICD® has been available in Europe and New Zealand since 2009 and in the US with FDA
approval since 2012.