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Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Placement

At Children's Health℠, we have deep expertise in helping children and teens manage arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

Children who have a life-threatening rapid heartbeat may need a device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Our nationally recognized team of arrhythmia doctors is trained to treat all aspects of heart arrhythmia, from placing ICDs to monitoring the devices to treating the underlying conditions that cause your child’s irregular heart rhythm.

Dallas

214-456-2333
Fax: 214-456-2714

Plano

469-303-4300
Fax: 469-303-4310

Park Cities

469-488-7000
Fax: 469-488-7001

Prosper

469-303-5000
Fax: 214-867-9511

Request an Appointment with codes: Cardiology (Heart Center)

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Accepted Insurance Plans

What is an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?

An ICD is a small device that has wires that go to the heart. The device constantly monitors the heart’s electrical activity. If your child's heart activity becomes abnormal, the ICD can react in two ways. It can send rapid, but gentle, electrical pulses to the heart to restore a healthy rhythm. Or it can deliver a powerful shock that briefly stops the heart and allows it to restart back into a normal rhythm.

What are the benefits of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?

An ICD monitors and controls your child’s heart rhythm at all times, even while they sleep. ICDs react to problems with your child’s heartbeat within seconds. Not only can the ICD save your child’s life, but it also allows them to enjoy all types of childhood activities without fear of having an arrhythmia attack. There are no medicines that work as well as an ICD.

What are the side effects of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement?

Your child might feel sore for a week after surgery. They should be completely healed and ready to go back to normal activities within eight weeks.

About 10% to 15% of adolescents feel depressed after ICD placement. Though this might seem surprising, we think it’s because some adolescents might have been in denial about their heart condition. Once the device goes into their body, they realize:

“This is serious. My condition is real.” Our child life specialists and psychologists provide support and coping strategies to those who feel depressed or upset after their surgery.

What are the risks of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement?

Sometimes, the ICD can misunderstand what’s going on inside your child’s heart. It may send an electrical charge when it shouldn’t. If the ICD mistakenly goes off, your child will feel pain, but only for a second.

In addition, there are risks associated with any type of surgery. Though it’s very rare, the surgery might cause an infection, damage a blood vessel, or damage the heart. We do everything possible to take all precautions necessary to make sure the ICD won’t cause your child any harm.

What to expect with Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement

You’ll meet doctors who specialize in treating heart rhythm abnormalities (called electrophysiologists), anesthesiologists and nurses at Children's Health℠ who all work together to perform the procedure and can answer any questions before and after surgery.

What to expect before Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement

Typically, a child will be in the ER or hospitalized after having a life-threatening arrhythmia attack. Other children may have a family history of life-threatening arrhythmia. We’ll talk to you and your family about how an ICD can prevent future attacks.

The surgery will take about two hours. Your child will be given anesthesia before surgery. This mixture of medicines helps relax their body, reduce anxiety, control pain and prohibit movement.

Our team will let you know when your child should stop eating or drinking before their surgery. Having an empty stomach before surgery helps prevent your child from vomiting during surgery. This is important because vomiting could cause your child to breathe food or liquid into their lungs.

What to expect during Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement

For children who weigh more than 55 pounds, we put the device under their collarbone and use a needle to put the wires into the big blood vessel under the collarbone and down into your child’s heart. You can see the device under the skin, but it doesn’t stick out too much.

For smaller children under 55 pounds, we put the device in the abdomen because the blood vessels under the collarbone aren’t big enough yet. Then we make a small incision at the bottom of the breastbone and put the wires on the outside of the heart.

After surgery, we’ll do an X-ray to make sure the device is placed properly. Most children stay in the hospital overnight so we can make sure they aren’t having any post-procedure complications.

What to expect after Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement

The recovery is fairly quick. Your child might feel sore for about a week or so.

Your child will have a follow-up appointment in two weeks to make sure the incision site is healing. The site should be completely healed in six to eight weeks. While it’s healing, we ask that your child not lift more than 10 pounds, carry a backpack or play sports. Your child will come in for follow-up appointments during the first month or two. During the appointments, the ICD will be checked to be sure it is working well for your child.

We’ll also give you a small electronic box (a transmitter) to take home. The transmitter sends electronic signals to the hospital from your child’s ICD so we can monitor how the ICD is working and can make changes if needed.

Four times a year, the transmitter sends us a detailed report about your child’s heart pattern and activity. We review this information and will update you on your child’s treatment plan.

How do I prepare my child for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement?

We know that surgery can sound scary to children. Letting them know that this device can save their life can help. We can help your child understand what we’re doing and why it’s necessary. Our arrhythmia nurses can show your child the device before surgery and explain how it works.

What questions should I ask my provider about Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placement?

  • How does the ICD get placed?
  • How does the ICD work?
  • What's the follow-up?
  • Why does my child need this?
  • Does my child still have to take their arrhythmia medication?
  • What are my child’s activity restrictions with an ICD?

Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Placement Providers

At Children’s Health, our team will work together to give your child expert care, tailored to their needs. Meet our providers for ICD placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long is ICD surgery?

    It takes about two hours to place an ICD.

  • How long does it take to recover after having an ICD implanted?

    Recovery is pretty quick. Your child might feel sore for about a week. They should be able to get back to their normal activities about eight weeks after surgery.

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