How is a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed?
Placing a subcutaneous ICD is minor surgery. You will likely have medicine to make you feel relaxed and sleepy during the surgery.
Your doctor makes a small cut (incision) at the left side of your chest. The device is placed inside this cut. Your doctor may make two small cuts near your breastbone. The doctor puts a lead (wire) through these cuts. The lead is placed under the skin near the breastbone so that it lies near your heart. Your doctor connects the lead to the ICD. Then the incisions are closed. Your doctor also programs the ICD.
Most people spend the night in the hospital. This is just to make sure that the device is working and that there are no problems from the surgery.
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