You should always follow your doctor’s instructions about receiving therapy.
Go to A&E or call 995 if you do not feel well or if there are more than 2 shocks delivered in the same day.
You can travel with an AICD. However, you should discuss your travel plans with your physician as there may be other important medical considerations.
The amount of metal used in most AICDs is very small and not usually enough to set off the detector alarm. If it does, inform the security personnel that you have a AICD implanted, and show them your patient identification card.
Passing through the metal detector portal will not harm your device; however do not linger near it as the magnetic field may temporarily interrupt the normal function of the device.
Ultrasound scans (including echocardiograms), as well as X ray scans (including CT scans) do not affect the function of your AICD; you may proceed with these normally.
However, you should not have MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Such scans use very strong magnetic fields which can affect the function of the AICD.
Keep calm. It is only an indication that you should contact your doctor. If you hear a continuous tone at high frequency, the situation is not urgent; you should phone your doctor and arrange an earlier appointment. However, if you hear a double high and low frequency tone, you must inform your doctor and arrange to see him immediately.
During out-of-hours period, please do visit the A&E.
The risk of implantation is estimated to be about 1%, including excessive bleeding, pneumothorax (air leak from the lung), cardiac perforation, long term risk of infection and device malfunction.
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