The key difference between ICD and pacemaker is that ICD is an implantable device that sends out a shock when the heart beats way too fast rate while pacemaker is an implantable device that sends out electrical pulses when the heart beats way too slow.
ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillators) and pacemaker are two little implantable devices that are used by doctors to help treat heart problems. They are used when people have a type of heart problem called arrhythmia, which occurs when the heart beats too slowly or too fast or with an irregular rhythm.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
3. What is a Pacemaker
4. Similarities – ICD and Pacemaker
5. ICD vs Pacemaker in Tabular Form
6. Summary – ICD vs Pacemaker
What is an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)?
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is an implantable device that sends out a shock when the heart beats way too fast and helps to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate. There are a few reasons why doctors use ICDs. ICDs are recommended if people are at a higher risk of a malignant ventricular arrhythmia, such as a very fast heartbeat that results in quivering rather than normal contraction. This condition results in a catastrophic loss of blood and oxygen supply to the brain and body parts. Therefore, ICD can correct the rhythm back to normal. An ICD is capable not only of all functions of pacemakers but can also deliver a shock to reset excessively fast heart rates. Thus, it restores the normal blood flow to the parts of the human body.
Figure 01: ICD
ICD is placed under the skin. It also contains a computer that tracks the heart rate and rhythm. Furthermore, the risk associated with ICD surgery include blood clots, damage to blood vessels, infection or punctured or collapsed lungs, getting dizziness, or fainting after implantation.
What is a Pacemaker?
A pacemaker is an implantable device that sends out electrical pulses when the heart beats very slowly to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate. If people have a persistent slow heartbeat, pacemakers are recommended. The pacemaker will sense the heart is beating too slow and send a tiny electrical impulse through the wires to remind the heart to beat again at a normal rhythm. A patient will feel these tiny impulses when the pacemaker starts functioning in the background without their knowledge. Moreover, a pacemaker allows the heart to maintain an adequate heart rate which, in turn, allows a normal healthy blood flow throughout various parts of the body.
Figure 02: Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small device that is placed under the skin in the upper chest. Furthermore, the risks that are associated with pacemaker surgery include bleeding and bruising, damage to blood vessels or nerves, infection, and punctured or collapsed lungs.
What are the Similarities Between ICD and Pacemaker?
- ICD and pacemaker are two implantable devices that are used by doctors to treat heart problems.
- Both are small devices.
- They mainly correct arrhythmias.
- ICDs have all the functions of a pacemaker.
- Both devices are implanted through surgeries.
- They can save the lives of millions of people around the world.
What is the Difference Between ICD and Pacemaker?
ICD is an implantable device that sends out a shock when the heart beats way too fast in order to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate, while a pacemaker is an implantable device that sends out electrical pulses when the heart beats way too slow in order to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate. Thus, this is the key difference between ICD and pacemaker. Furthermore, ICDs have all functions of a pacemaker, but a pacemaker does not have all the functions of an ICD.
The below infographic presents the differences between ICD and pacemaker in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – ICD vs Pacemaker
ICD and pacemaker are two implantable devices that are used to treat heart problems. They are surgically implanted small medical devices. ICD sends out a shock when the heart beats way too fast to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate. A pacemaker sends out electrical pulses when the heart beats way too slow to keep the heart at a normal rhythm and rate. So, this summarizes the difference between ICD and pacemaker.
Reference:
1. “Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).” Www.heart.org.
2. “Pacemaker or ICD: Which Do I Need?” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “ICD System” By implantate-schweiz.ch – (CC BY-SA 3.0 ch) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “St Jude Medical pacemaker in hand” By Steven Fruitsmaak – Own work, removed from a deceased patient before cremation. Holding it in my hand. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia