Does anyone have the new S-ICD and want to share their experience with it?

[jubilee1972]

Last week when discussing my upcoming septal myectomy my doctor informed me that I needed an icd. He gave me the choice between the "standard" icd and the new s-icd. Based on his description I chose the new s-icd. Now I am interested in hearing from others who have it or have had both to learn more about the pros and cons. Thanks!

[LindaSo]

Re: Does anyone have the new S-ICD and want to share their experience with it?

I have the new "standard" icd, so I can't help you out with pro's/con's from a personal experience. I do understand that the s-icd does not have pacing abilities.

[Cynaburst]

Re: Does anyone have the new S-ICD and want to share their experience with it?

I don't have one but I have seen them. They are larger than the traditional types and are implanted under the skin on the side of the rib cage of the person instead of under collar bone or pectoral muscle like the traditional ICD. I have one friend who has one now - having had a traditional one removed and replaced, and he says that is bigger and more noticeable. Also, it does not have the ability to act as a pacemaker or to pace a person out of a dangerous arrythmia - only can give the big shock. Most ICDs these days will try a more gentler approach of pacing you out of a dangerous arrythmia before giving you the full shock. The S-ICD can't do that.

[danman22]

Re: Does anyone have the new S-ICD and want to share their experience with it?

I have a S-ICD. I've had it for about a year and a half. Before that I had the standard ICD for 11 years. I've never had a shock, and I'm currently 27 years old. As you probably know, they both have their pros and cons. I did notice that the S-ICD implantation took me a bit longer to recover from--the area under the armpit is a really soft spot and being cut open there was painful. Overall I'm happy with the device on my side. Being under the armpit, my left arm covers it nicely so that it doesn't bump into anything ever, whereas when the defib was on the chest, there was nothing to really "protect it." The S-ICD is larger but not by too much. When I first got the device I contributed to several threads on the subject, so be sure to read my past posts. Good luck with everything- you'll do great!