IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR

Course overview

PRACTITIONERS USE THE TERMS SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST (SCA) AND SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH INTERCHANGEABLY; HOWEVER, THEIR DEFINITIONS ARE DISTINCT. SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST IS THE SUDDEN CESSATION OF CARDIAC ACTIVITY LEADING TO AN UNRESPONSIVE VICTIM WHO CANNOT BREATHE NORMALLY AND DOES NOT HAVE SIGNS OF FUNCTIONAL CIRCULATION. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY, SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PROGRESSES TO SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH. IN SOME PATIENTS, THE PLACEMENT OF AN IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS FELT TO BE AT HIGH RISK FOR SUDDEN DEATH.