RI Hospital First in RI to Implement New Defibrillator Technology

RI Hospital First in RI to Implement New Defibrillator Technology

Through their Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital has become the first in the state to use a new type of implantable cardiac defibrillator. The device, called the S-ICD, is the first subcutaneous ICD for the treatment of patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, and is the only ICD that does not require electrical wires to be placed in the heart.

“More than a half-million people in the United States are treated each year for sudden cardiac arrest,” said Michael Kim, M.D., director of the arrhythmia service at Rhode Island Hospital, where the ICD was implanted. “This new defibrillator provides patients with an alternative option to single and double-lead defibrillators, and may be safer for many patients. It is a less invasive procedure, which often means a reduced risk of complications and faster recovery. Additionally, many patients may be able to have the S-ICD implanted on an outpatient basis, allowing them to return home immediately following the procedure.”

Developed by Boston Scientific, the S-ICD is implanted under the skin and leaves the heart and blood vessels intact. When cardiac arrest is detected, the electrode delivers a shock to the heart similar to single- and double-lead implantable defibrillators and external defibrillator paddles. Even without directly touching the heart, the electrode can deliver a shock that corrects the heart’s rhythm.

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Rhode Island's first patient to receive an S-ICD did so in late January. For more information on RI Hospital, visit their website.