HEART ATTACK CENTER: Anatomy > Implantable Defibrillator   Prevention Center   Survivor Center

Copyright © 2004 Nucleus Medical Art, All rights reserved. www.nucleusinc.com. What is an Implantable Defibrillator? The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is installed in the chest area to check for and correct an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. In particular an ICD checks for a fast heartbeat, called tachycardia. If one is detected, the device will send a shock to the heart to return it to the correct rhythm. Learn more about ICDs ICD may help patients with low      ejection fraction.