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Sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurs with a frequency of 1-2 cases per 1000 population and can be the outcome of any heart disease. To save a person's life, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is used. It is indicated for arrhythmia, chronic heart failure class III-IV, and "non-compact" myocardium. Using such a device significantly reduces the risk of death from cardiac arrest.
Before pacemaker implantation, the patient needs to prepare a list of medical documents and undergo examination. To make a decision about the need for device therapy, the following will be required:
According to indications, the doctor prescribes additional examination (cardiac EPS, cardiac MSCT). Before the operation, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents will need to be discontinued to prevent complications. The patient is also consulted by an anesthesiologist to select the method and medications for pain relief.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts no more than 1 hour. For detailed visualization of all manipulations, cardiac surgeons use X-ray operating systems.
Through the subclavian vein, doctors insert electrodes that are fixed in the atrium and ventricle under contrast X-ray control. This is a critical stage of the operation, as the doctor needs to achieve good contact between the heart tissue and electrodes. The pacemaker is implanted in the subclavian area through a small incision in the skin, then intracardiac electrodes are connected to it. This completes the implantation, surgeons suture the soft tissues in layers and apply a sterile dressing.
Complete rest must be observed for 6 hours. In the first days after ICD implantation, the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics and other medications to prevent postoperative complications. A gentle regimen is recommended for 3 months: restriction of left arm movements, exclusion of sports and physical work, prohibition of lifting weights over 4-5 kg. About a week after the operation, you can gradually return to work.
Cardioverter-defibrillator programming is carried out on the 2-3rd day after its installation. Device monitoring is scheduled after 3 months, and then every six months throughout the entire period of use.
After ICD installation, patients will need to slightly change their usual lifestyle. Restrictions apply to the following areas:
The device is a complex computer for controlling heart rhythm, which combines the functions of a pacemaker (for correcting the pacemaker function) and a cardioverter (for stopping fibrillation in life-threatening forms of arrhythmia).
The ICD consists of a battery that ensures uninterrupted operation of the device, a microchip — the main part of the device, electrodes — conductors that transmit additional impulses to the heart, and a connector block for connecting electrodes to the housing. The price of a cardioverter-defibrillator depends on the manufacturer, technical characteristics, and availability of additional options.
Pacemakers come in:
| Type of Intervention | Cost |
|---|---|
| Myocardial infarction. Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation | from 16,500 € |
| Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) | from 18,500 € - 25,000 € |
| Congenital valve defect. Surgery using heart-lung machine, care in intensive surgery unit, suture removal, up to transfer to rehabilitation department: correction of 1 valve | from 35,500 € |
Germany is home to world-renowned cardiology centers that provide drug, device and surgical treatment of all types of heart diseases. Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation is successfully performed in the following German clinics:
Don't know where to go for heart disease treatment? Doktor München will select the best German clinics that specialize in your problem, help with the preparation of medical documentation and take care of organizing a trip to Germany.
To learn more and calculate the cost of treatment, leave a request on the website and we will contact you shortly.
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