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Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

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Image of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

A doctor places an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (also called an ICD) in the chest. The ICD has one or two wires called leads that connect to the heart through a vein. The ICD checks the heartbeat for an abnormal rhythm. If the ICD senses an abnormal heart rhythm, it sends out either electrical pulses or a shock to fix it.

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Last Updated: 08/25/2008