New Defibrillator Has Many Advantages
Article link here.
Conventional defibrillators provide a great way to regulate the heartbeat by delivering an electric shock which keeps the heart pumping at a consistent rhythm. However, there are numerous downsides. The wires, called leads, through which the electric current flows, can increase the risk of blood clots and infection. Also, in some patients, such as those with congenital heart problems, it is very difficult to advance the leads to the heart through the veins. Many must undergo surgery to attach the leads to the outer layer of heart muscle. Leads can also break or stop functioning properly, and it is dangerous to remove them.
Scientists at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have implanted a new type of defibrillator, called the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), into an 18 year old patient. It is entirely subcutaneous, meaning an electrode is inserted just under the skin near the heart, but none of it actually touches the heart itself. This is revolutionary because it means that leads are not necessary for this defibrillator. The electrode is connected to a defibrillator under the patient's arm which monitors the heartbeat and provides a shock whenever the beat becomes irregular.
I thought that this was an interesting development because it will provide young patients with a better method for regulating their heartbeats. Conventional defibrillators put young patients especially at risk due to the simple fact that the defibrillators will be in their bodies longer, and therefore it is more likely that the leads will eventually malfunction and have to be removed. But with the S-ICD, patients can be assured that their defibrillators will have a longer lifespan and won't need to be removed by invasive surgery.
Conventional defibrillators provide a great way to regulate the heartbeat by delivering an electric shock which keeps the heart pumping at a consistent rhythm. However, there are numerous downsides. The wires, called leads, through which the electric current flows, can increase the risk of blood clots and infection. Also, in some patients, such as those with congenital heart problems, it is very difficult to advance the leads to the heart through the veins. Many must undergo surgery to attach the leads to the outer layer of heart muscle. Leads can also break or stop functioning properly, and it is dangerous to remove them.
Scientists at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have implanted a new type of defibrillator, called the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), into an 18 year old patient. It is entirely subcutaneous, meaning an electrode is inserted just under the skin near the heart, but none of it actually touches the heart itself. This is revolutionary because it means that leads are not necessary for this defibrillator. The electrode is connected to a defibrillator under the patient's arm which monitors the heartbeat and provides a shock whenever the beat becomes irregular.
I thought that this was an interesting development because it will provide young patients with a better method for regulating their heartbeats. Conventional defibrillators put young patients especially at risk due to the simple fact that the defibrillators will be in their bodies longer, and therefore it is more likely that the leads will eventually malfunction and have to be removed. But with the S-ICD, patients can be assured that their defibrillators will have a longer lifespan and won't need to be removed by invasive surgery.
posted by Osty at 1:04 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home