Cardiac Implants

What are cardiac implants?

Cardiac implants are small electronic devices placed inside the body to monitor or regulate heart rhythm and function. Depending on the heart condition, your provider at Heart and Vascular Associates, LLC may recommend one of the following types of cardiac implants:

• Pacemaker: Helps manage slow heart rhythms (bradycardia) by sending electrical impulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): Detects and stops fast or irregular heart rhythms (such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) by delivering a corrective shock
• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) device: Used for patients with heart failure to coordinate the contractions of the heart’s chambers, improving the heart’s efficiency
• Leadless Pacemaker: A small, self-contained device placed directly into the heart without traditional wires (leads)
• Subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD): A defibrillator placed under the skin, without leads inside the heart, often used when traditional ICDs are not suitable

These devices are implanted during a minimally invasive procedure and work automatically to detect and correct rhythm abnormalities or support weakened heart function.

Am I a candidate for cardiac implants?

Cardiac implants are typically recommended for patients with conditions such as bradycardia, heart block, atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular rate, ventricular tachycardia, or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Individuals at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest may also qualify.

Your provider at Heart and Vascular Associates, LLC performs a detailed evaluation that may include an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, Holter monitor, stress testing, or electrophysiology study to help determine your eligibility for a cardiac implant. 

Symptoms like fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or palpitations—especially in the setting of known heart disease—often prompt further investigation and potential device placement.

Your provider collaborates with you to determine if you’re a good candidate for a cardiac implant based on the potential benefits and long-term outcomes.

What can I expect when having a cardiac implant placed?

Cardiac implant procedures are performed at the practice's ambulatory surgery center under local anesthesia with sedation. The entire process typically takes one to three hours. For most devices, a small incision is made near the collarbone, and leads are threaded through a vein into the heart. The device is positioned beneath the skin, and its function is tested before completing the procedure.

The approach for leadless pacemakers or subcutaneous devices may differ slightly. Your surgeon may gain access through a vein in the leg or an alternative incision site.

Patients may be monitored overnight but can often return home the following day with detailed instructions for wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up.

To learn more about cardiac implants, call Heart and Vascular Associates, LLC, or request a consultation online today.