Implantable defibrillator

• Only known treatment for VF is defibrillation
• Defibrillation delivers high energy to cause all cardiac myocytes to fully depolarise
• This 'resets' all cardiac myocytes to enable normal electrical activation to recommence
• Defibrillation is more successful the quicker it is delivered

Types of ICD

Complications associated with transvenous leads

• Endocarditis
• Perforation
• Haemothorax, pneumothorax
• Thromboembolic events
• Vascular complications
• Lead fractures
• Lead extraction complications
• Lead dislodgement

Cascade (family) screening

• Once a diagnosis is confirmed, testing is extended to first and second degree relatives