Pacemaker and AICD are both used as aids in the treatment of heartbeat rate. Nonetheless, there is a difference in the way that each device is implanted in the body and the way that each operates. They target varying levels of heartbeat rate.
What is AICD?
This device is larger than the pacemaker although they look alike. It can have one or many leads with an electrode assigned to each lead. The device features a generator. Unlike the pacemaker, AICD uses two electrical energy levels, vis. low energy and high energy. The low energy level converts an abnormal heart beat rate to a normal one whereas a high energy level is used when the heart is shaking — during severe arrhythmia.
AICD detects faster rate of the heartbeat and, in response, converts it to a normal heartbeat by using an electrical energy shock. Anti-tachycardia pacing is another treatment used by AIDC devices to convert a faster heartbeat rate into a normal one. There are other devices that make use of AICD and pacemaker at the same time to offer efficient results since these devices differ in application.
What is a pacemaker?
This device is smaller to AICD. It is inserted under the skin where it uses electrical energy to control an abnormal heartbeat. The device is predominantly used for heartbeat rates that are slow. It is used as an alternate to SA node — a natural pacemaker of the heart. When the SA node malfunctions, the heartbeat rate tends to be relatively slow. It can also be slow if there is a blockage in the electrical pathways.
Recent development unveiled biventricular as the latest pacemaker model. It is used in treatments of heart failure. Biventricular pacemaker is designed to pace the heart ventricles simultaneously because it happens during a heart failure that these ventricles do not pump at the same time. When they do not pump at the same time, they cause less blood to be pumped by the heart thus resulting into heart failure. This new model of pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker helps the heart to pump more blood through cardiac resynchronization therapy treatment.
Which patients are recommended to use these devices?
AICD and pacemaker are recommended to different patients. Patients that suffer from an abnormal slow heartbeat are urged to use a pacemaker to return an abnormal heart rate to normal. On the other hand, patients that suffer from severe ventricular arrhythmias are urged to use AICD. The specialist doctors may recommend these devices based on other reasons as well.
How are these devices inserted in the body?
These devices are implanted in an electrophysiology or cardiac cauterization laboratory. Sedation and local anesthesia are given to the recipient of these devices so that the procedure may be done while they relax. The doctor will recommend a hospital stay. Furthermore, the doctors are familiar with instructions of implanting these devices. They remain to be different even in insertion.
