An electronic device that constantly monitors your heart rate and rhythm, an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) can detect a fast, abnormal rhythm and deliver a small electric impulse to the heart muscle, causing it to beat in a normal rhythm again.

Comprised of leads and a pulse generator, an ICD is a remarkable computerized device that monitors heart rhythm and determines when a rhythm-restoring shock is necessary. It may be programmed to perform one or more of the following functions: anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP), cardioversion, defibrillation, and bradycardia pacing.
The most frequent implantation technique involves a small incision under the collarbone through which the generator is placed under the skin and the lead is placed into a vein and guided inside the heart chamber.