The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 23, Number 6 | Page 41

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | June 2017
Ask the Physician
My physician just told me I might need a device like a pacemaker or defibrillator. Two questions, please:
What is the difference, and does this mean my heart isn’t functioning very well? – Scott L., Elizabeth
These are good questions! Let’s start with the difference between these two devices: Pacemakers are smaller than
defibrillators (ICDs), and designed to keep a heart from beating too slowly. ICDs are a bit larger and are used to
prevent cardiac arrest by providing an electrical shock if needed, to stop a life-threatening rhythm from the bottom
part of the heart. Although all procedures have risks, device implanting is well tolerated and if you need one, you’ll
be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards!
At DEBORAH, we work hard to bring cutting-edge technologies to those who need device therapy. Just recently we
were the first hospital in the region to implant an amazing new defibrillator, used for treating patients for risk of
sudden cardiac arrest; it sits just below the skin without the need for insulated lead wires to be placed into the heart
itself. Patients will no longer need to have leads replaced, eliminating the potential for vascular infection and
reducing complications associated with lead extraction or implantation!
Regarding pacemakers: The electrical patterns of the heart are very complex. At DEBORAH, we have a myriad of
techniques for addressing irregular heart rhythms, including slowing rapidly beating hearts, and stimulating those
with a slow beat. We also have discovered many times that the heart rhythm is off, in part, because the heart itself
has other issues we need to address.
There are many medical things we can do to help get the heart back on the right track, including making lifestyle
recommendations to help strengthen the heart. This is one of the best benefits of seeing a specialist at a
comprehensive heart center like DEBORAH.
I invite you to make your appointment with a DEBORAH specialist, Scott – just call 1-800-555-1990 or request an
appointment online at www.DemandDeborah.org.
Raffaele Corbisiero, M.D., FACC
Attending Cardiac
Electrophysiologist
Division Director,
Electrophysiology
and Pacing
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