Medical advancements have made it possible to treat many health-related conditions that previously were untreatable. Technological advancements have greatly reduced the probability of fatality and also increased the general life span of the world, compared to the rates that existed a century ago.
Both AICD and Pacemaker are examples of this advancement in medical technology.
AICD vs Pacemaker
The difference between AICD and Pacemaker is that AICD is an implantable device that monitors the beating of the heart and corrects any changes in the rhythm pattern by delivering a mild shock. The pacemaker is a device used to correct the abnormal heartbeat by sending electrical signals to the heart.
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AICD stands for Automated Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator. It is an implantable device that is used to monitor the heartbeat and adjust any abnormal beating by sending a mild shock.
The device tracks the rhythm of the heartbeat and syncs to the natural rhythm of the heart for providing the electric shock.
A pacemaker is a device that is used to regulate the beating of the heart. The device can be placed under the skin on the chest and it monitors the heartbeats.
The device has a generator and battery for operation. It monitors the heartbeats and sends signals on account of any abnormal beating of the heart.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | AICD | Pacemaker |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | AICD stands for Automated Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator | The pacemaker is a device that corrects the heartbeats |
| Device type | A permanent device inserted into the right ventricle | Implantable, usually under the skin on the chest |
| Function | Monitoring of heartbeats and sending shocks in case of any abnormality | Sends electrical signals to maintain the heartbeat count |
| Suggested for | Patients who have suffered cardiac arrest due to sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation | Patients who have abnormal SA nodes or patients suffering from a heart block |
| Purpose | Defibrillation | Synchronization |
What is AICD?
AICD stands for Automated Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator. It is a sophisticated device that is used to monitor as well as maintain the proper functioning of the heart. It is a suggested medical procedure for people suffering from grave heart conditions.
The device monitors the heart’s beats and tracks the rhythm of the heart. When the device registers a drop in the rhythm, it sends an electric shock to the heart to prevent the heart from failing.
The device is directly mounted on the body, and a lead wire is implanted into the right ventricle of the heart. The lead wire is used to register a mild shock to the right ventricle.
The device consists of a sensory unit, a generator, a computer system, and a battery for operation. The sensory unit senses the beating of the heart and sends signals to the computer system.
The computer monitors the beating of the heart and keeps track of the beating. The generator unit acts as a defibrillator for sending mild shocks to the heart through the lead wire implanted onto the right ventricle.
The device is suggested for patients who have suffered from cardiac arrest due to sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
What is Pacemaker?
The pacemaker is a device that is used to regulate the beating of the heart when some abnormality is sensed in the regular beating. The correction to the heartbeats is made by sending an electric signal which mimics the natural rhythm of the heart.
The device is typically placed under the skin on the chest, near the collarbone. It is connected to the heart with the help of very fine wires.
The pacemaker only turns on if the heart is beating, and requires the beating of the heart for functioning. It sends an electric signal in the form of pulses to the heart when the heart beats at a slower pace.
Thus unlike a defibrillator which sends shocks to start the heart, the pacemaker is a synchronization device that sends electric pulses for maintaining the rate of heartbeats.
The device is typically suggested for patients who have an abnormal SA node or patients suffering from a heart blockage. In such cases, the heart may not be able to maintain the required heart rate, of 50 to 70 beats.
Thus when the pace falls below the line, the device monitors the beating and sends pulses to maintain and synchronize the beating of the heart.
Main Differences Between AICD and Pacemaker
- AICD stands for Automated Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator. Pacemaker is a device used to maintain the regular functioning of the heart
- AICD is a permanent device inserted into the right ventricle. Pacemaker is typically placed near the collarbone under the skin of the chest.
- AICD is used for sending a mild shock when the heart stops. Pacemaker is used to maintain the regular heartbeats
- AICD is suggested for patients who have suffered cardiac arrest due to sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Pacemaker is suggested to patients who have abnormal SA node or patients suffering from a heart block
- AICD is a defibrillating device whereas Pacemaker is a synchronization device
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-8167.1997.tb00842.x
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/073510979090358V
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
