Dr. Charles Thompson
Lane Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to implant Boston Scientific’s new S-ICD® System, the world's first and only commercially available subcutaneous implantable defibrillator for the treatment of patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function. Most episodes are caused by the rapid and/or chaotic activity of the heart known as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Recent estimates show that approximately 850,000 people in the United States are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest but remain unprotected.
The S-ICD System is designed to provide the same protection from sudden cardiac arrest as transvenous defibrillators, however the S-ICD System sits entirely just below the skin without the need for thin, insulated wires – known as electrodes or ‘leads’ – to be placed into the heart itself. This leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched.
Dr. Charles Thompson, an interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Zachary, recently performed the first procedure at Lane. Dr. Thompson said, "The S-ICD System will open up opportunities for some patients to receive an ICD who previously could not because of vein access problems. It has two main components: (1) the pulse generator, which powers the system, monitors heart activity and delivers a shock if needed, and (2) the electrode, which enables the device to sense the cardiac rhythm and deliver shocks when necessary. Overall it is a very effective, patient-friendly device.”
Implantation with the S-ICD System is straightforward using anatomical landmarks, without the need for fluoroscopy (an X-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion). Both components are implanted just under the skin — the generator at the side of the chest, and the electrode beside the breastbone. Fluoroscopy is required for implanting the leads attached to traditional transvenous defibrillator systems.
To date, more than 1,400 S-ICD System devices have been implanted in patients around the world.
For an animated video of S-ICD implantation, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHf0lRwMnw
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Charles Thompson at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Zachary, please call (225)654-1559.
