long term implications of a defibrillator implant

[CyndieJ]

My Dad is 81 years old and is having a defibrillator implant this coming week.  He is afraid that at some point the quality of his life may become diminished and he won't want to be kept alive by artificial devices.  Can the defibrillator be disconnected or taken out?

[banglamom]

I had a patient last week with a very low EF waiting to get a mechanical heart.  All night, I took care of her WISHING she at least had an ICD.  It was scheduled for Monday.   Unfortunately, she coded before they got.  An ICD is a much better alternative because if it doesn't get used, it is not a problem.  If it gets used ONCE, it has saved your life.  An ejection fraction of <35% is a reason to get one because of the increased rick of ventricular dysrhythmias or especially if there is a history of those dysrhythmias.  Often when we get a patient with a defibrillator who is dying from some other reason, it just gets turned off without fanfare.  I hope this makes the decision easier.  I am all for people getting to say no if they want but it should not be because of thinking of the ICD as too difficult.  Blessings to you.

[kevk]

Yes his ICD can be shut off with a magnet and can be removed.  I have had four over the past seventeen years and like Banglamom I owe my life to this little device.

[banglamom]

They can be turned off if one so chooses.  That is done with the computer that programs them.  If this is a pacer/ icd, as most of them are, it has a risk of being accidently turned off with a magnet.  Magnet is the kryptonite to a pacer/icd.  mostly though, these increase quality of life.  Mine was the highlight of 2008.  It saves my life day after day.  I hope his experience is the same.