About Defibrillator Implantation
Key Highlights
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Provides continuous, 24/7 monitoring and protection against life-threatening heart rhythms.Significantly reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients.Minimally invasive procedure with a relatively short recovery time.Device settings can be adjusted non-invasively during follow-up visits.Can also function as a pacemaker to treat slow heart rhythms if needed.Improves quality of life and peace of mind for patients and their families./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Survivors of sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.
- Patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia.
- Individuals with certain congenital heart conditions that increase arrhythmia risk.
- Patients with heart failure and significantly reduced ejection fraction (e.g., ≤35%).
- Those with a history of heart attack and ongoing risk factors for arrhythmias.
- Patients with specific inherited heart rhythm disorders like Long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome.
How to prepare
- Complete cardiac evaluation including ECG, echocardiogram, and possibly an electrophysiology study.
- Review and adjustment of current medications as directed by the cardiologist.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure, typically after midnight.
- Informed consent process discussing the procedure, benefits, and risks.
- Blood tests to check clotting function and overall health status.
- Shaving and cleaning of the skin around the chest and shoulder area.
- Arranging for transportation home post-procedure as driving is not permitted initially.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, bruising, or infection at the implant site.
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) from needle insertion near the lung.
- Damage to blood vessels or nerves during lead placement.
- Lead dislodgement, requiring repositioning or replacement.
- Inappropriate shocks delivered by the device for non-life-threatening rhythms.
- Allergic reaction to the device materials or medications used.
- Rarely, cardiac perforation or tamponade (fluid around the heart).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay of 1-2 days for monitoring of the device and incision site.
- Avoidance of lifting the arm on the implant side above shoulder level for several weeks.
- Keeping the incision site clean and dry; watching for signs of infection like redness or swelling.
- Avoiding strenuous activities and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks.
- Gradual return to normal daily activities as approved by the doctor.
- Regular follow-up appointments for device checks and wound assessment.
- Carrying an ICD identification card and informing all medical personnel about the device.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering defibrillator implantation in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for defibrillator implantation in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform defibrillator implantation. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for defibrillator implantation compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Defibrillator Implantation in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing defibrillator implantation.
Emma Roy, a 68-year-old retired school...
Emma Roy, a 68-year-old retired school librarian, had always been active, enjoying gardening and long walks with her book club friends. Her world shifted when she began experiencing sudden, terrifying episodes of dizziness and near-fainting while tending her roses. After one such episode left her on the ground, her daughter insisted on a cardiology consult. Tests revealed a condition called Sick Sinus Syndrome, where her heart's natural pacemaker was failing, causing dangerous pauses and bradycardia. Her cardiologist, Dr. Evans, explained that her heart could stop without warning. He recommended a dual-chamber pacemaker-defibrillator; not only to pace her slow heart, but to protect her from any life-threatening rapid rhythms that could develop. The implantation itself, under local anesthesia, was a strange experience, pressure and tugging but no pain. The recovery was surprisingly straightforward, with some soreness and strict arm movement restrictions for six weeks. Emotionally, Emma grappled with the idea of being 'cyborg-like' and dependent on a machine. She felt fragile and anxious. However, as weeks passed without incident, her confidence returned. The device became a silent guardian, not a burden. She returned to her garden, her walks, and her book club, now with a profound sense of gratitude for the second chance and the technology that allows her to live fully, albeit with a new companion in her chest.
Cardiac surgeons for Defibrillator Implantation
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform defibrillator implantation and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
- 31 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore