Pacemaker vs ICD vs CRT: Comparison
You may be familiar with the medical equipment that doctors use to treat heart conditions, such as pacemakers, ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators), and CRT (cathode ray tube). These three devices all function to improve the rate at which your heart beats, but they are not the same.
So, here in this article, you’ll learn more about these devices and what each one does, how they work, and when each would be used. Let’s take a look.
What is a Pacemaker?
A pacemaker, also known as a cardiac pacing device, is a small medical device that helps regulate the heartbeat and is inserted surgically into the chest. A pacemaker controls the electrical conduction system of the heart by generating electrical impulses that cause the heart’s muscle chambers to contract and pump blood.
It transmits electrical impulses to start or regulate a slow heartbeat. Most frequently, it is positioned in the chest, just below the collarbone. If the heart’s natural pacemaker (the SA node) is failing and creating a slow heart rate or rhythm, or if the electrical pathways are obstructed, a pacemaker may be utilized. When your heart’s natural pacemaker or electrical circuit fails, the messages it sends out become unpredictable. This signal may be too slow, too fast, or too irregular (arrhythmia).
What is an ICD?
An ICD is a battery-operated device that monitors your heart rate. Your heart and the ICD are connected by tiny wires. If your heart is pounding erratically and far too quickly, the device will shock you with electricity to bring it back to a normal beat. In patients with known, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it aids in preventing sudden death. If you or your kid is at risk for developing a ventricular arrhythmia that might be severe, your doctor could advise getting an ICD.
A pulse generator powered by batteries is implanted in a pouch under the skin of the chest or abdomen, usually just below the collarbone. Its size is comparable to a pocket watch. The ICD you obtain could be able to collect and retain information about your heart rhythm, depending on the model. To decide on a course of therapy, your healthcare provider can then remotely review that data. The average ICD battery life is seven years. Your doctor should examine you every three to six months.
What is a CRT?
A cathode ray tube is referred to as a CRT. With no requirement for moving parts, CRTs are an electronic image display technology that has the advantage of dynamic information presentation. They are known as CRTs because an electron cannon, which produces a picture by creating streams of electrons with large voltage differences, produces the light that is used to display the images. This device fires out electrons at a fast rate of speed using an electron gun. Then the electrons strike the phosphors that line the inside of the screen in red, green, and blue. You can view the image on your monitor as a result of this procedure.
A cathode-ray tube (CRT) is a type of vacuum tube that produces images when an electron beam impacts a phosphorescent surface. CRTs are typically used for desktop computer displays. The "picture tube" in a television receiver is comparable to the CRT in a computer display. Several fundamental parts make up a cathode ray tube, as shown below. An arrow-shaped beam of electrons is produced by the electron gun. The electrons are accelerated by the anodes.
Pacemaker vs ICD
Most frequently, pacemakers are utilized when your heart beats too slowly. If you are susceptible to deadly ventricular arrhythmias, ICDs are indicated. Your doctor’s recommendation to implant a pacemaker or ICD could also be based on other factors.
The pacemaker or ICD will be implanted by your doctor during cardiac catheterization or at the electrophysiology lab. During the procedure, you are a little bit awake. However, your doctor will provide a local anesthetic to the area where the incision was made. For your comfort throughout the surgery, they will also sedate you.
The blood vessel that passes beneath the collarbone will be used to introduce the pacemaker/ICD lead or leads into the heart. Your doctor can test the lead after it has been installed to ensure that it is in the proper location and is functional. The generator (battery) is then connected to the lead and inserted slightly beneath the skin through the earlier-made incision.
The most common reason for a pacemaker or ICD is the heart beats too slowly (called bradycardia), or it pauses, causing fainting spells or other symptoms. An implanted cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a device inserted beneath your skin similar to a pacemaker. It also has a computer that monitors your heart rhythm and beat rate. The primary difference is that if your heart beats too quickly or is out of rhythm, the ICD will shock it back into rhythm. Also, make sure to get these procedures from the best cardiology hospital. Hope you found this article useful and the differences between these devices.