Device placement and monitoring

What’s an implantable cardiac device?

An implantable device helps your heart beat normally to pump blood throughout your body. You may be a candidate for an implantable heart device if you have severe heart failure or serious arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

Types of heart devices

Work with the cardiovascular professionals at ProHealth to place your device with a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)

Your doctor may recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to monitor your arrhythmia. An ICD is a small battery-powered device your surgeon implants under your skin. It connects to your heart with thin wires. If you experience an abnormal heart rhythm, the ICD delivers an electric shock to your heart to restore your normal heartbeat. The ICD also records these events.

Your electrophysiologist reviews your ICD recordings to help plan future treatment.

Pacemaker

Keep your heartbeat normal with a pacemaker implantation at ProHealth. A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that connects to your heart with thin wires. If your heart beats too slow or too fast, the pacemaker delivers electrical pulses to your heart to return it to a more normal rate. Many ICDs also function as pacemakers. 

A biventricular pacemaker can help the lower chambers of your heart beat at the same time.

LifeVest defibrillator

Your cardiologist may recommend you wear the LifeVest personal defibrillator if you’re at risk for sudden cardiac arrest from a heart condition. And you may wear it if your doctor is assessing your risk:

• After a heart attack.
• Before or after bypass surgery or stent placement.
• If you have cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure.

You’ll wear the lightweight defibrillator device on the outside of your body and go about your daily activities. The device continuously monitors your heart. Rest assured, if you have a life-threatening arrhythmia, the defibrillator delivers shock treatments to restore your heart's normal rhythm.

Ventricular assist device (VAD)

If you have severe heart failure or a weakened heart, a ventricular assist device (VAD) can help your heart work better. VAD is an implantable mechanical pump that helps your heart move blood from the lower chambers (ventricles) to the rest of your body.

You may have a VAD while you wait for a heart transplant. Or, it may be long-term treatment.

Heart monitoring device services

Get device monitoring from specially trained technicians and nurses at ProHealth. The device monitoring program performs services such as:

• Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillation (ICD) checks
• Implantable loop recorder interrogations
• Pacemaker threshold and sensing testing
• Remote device management

ICD services

Enjoy the convenience of appointments to check your device by telephone or remote monitoring. Talk to your doctor about treatment options and timing.

Pacemaker services

Six weeks after pacemaker implantation, you’ll have a complete check of your device. Follow-up checks every three months evaluate device and battery function.