October 19, 2017
AUDIENCE: Patients with a St. Jude Medical ICD or CRT-D device, Caregivers of patients with a St. Jude Medical ICD or CRT-D device, Health care providers treating patients with heart failure or heart rhythm problems using St. Jude Medical ICD or CRT-D devices
ISSUE: St. Jude Medical Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-Ds) are devices that provide pacing for slow heart rhythms, and electrical shock or pacing to stop dangerously fast heart rhythms.
ICDs and CRT-Ds are both implanted under the skin in the upper chest area with connecting insulated wires called “leads” that go into the heart. Patients need an ICD or CRT-D if their heart beat is too slow (bradycardia), too fast (tachycardia), or needs coordination to treat heart failure.