ICD Defribrillator

"geardown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Derek F" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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A UK friend with a Pacemaker received a form to fill in for his driving
license renewal as he is approaching 70. The form also mentioned an ICD
Defrbillator in the same context as a Pacemaker, what is the difference
between the devices.
Derek.

I think I can answer this one...

A pacemaker simply makes sure that the heart muscle contraction sequence
starts regularly and reliably when the heart's own pacemaker mechanism is
somehow broken. An ICD does four things:

Pacing. If you have ventricular tachycardia that isn't too fast, the ICD

can

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deliver several pacing signals in a row. When those signals stop, the

heart

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may go back to a normal rhythm.

Cardioversion. If the pacing doesn't work, cardioversion can be used. In
cardioversion, a mild shock is sent to the heart to stop the fast

heartbeat.

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Defibrillation. If ventricular fibrillation is detected, a stronger shock

is

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sent. This stronger shock can stop the fast rhythm and help the heartbeat

go

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back to normal.

Pacemaker. The ICD can also see when your heart beats too slowly. It can

act

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like a pacemaker and bring your heart rate up to normal.

The trouble is that if the defibrillator is triggered it's apparently like
being kicked in the chest by a mule. Not good if you are driving. The UK
DVLA has rules about ICD's. Take a look at
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-127205303.htm

Also take a look at:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/ch2_cardiovascular.htm

Hope this helps.

Thank you, that is about what I suggested to him and strangely enough in
last nights episode of ER (in the UK) a patient was to be fitted with one.
Derek.