Pacemakers, Defibrillators & Implanted Devices
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Complete Cardiac Device Care for Kids and Young Adults
Children with certain heart problems may need specialized devices implanted under the skin to help manage irregular heart rhythms and heart pumping function.Ìý
Pacemakers regulate the heart and maintain a steady rhythm using low-energy electrical pulses. Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) use higher-energy pulses during life-threatening events like cardiac arrest. Other implanted cardiac devices can improve blood flow, treat heart failure and allow doctors to monitor heart rhythm over extended periods of time.
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ Children’s expert electrophysiology and arrhythmia team is part of recognized, award-winning heart centers in Delaware and Florida. We use innovative, minimally invasive approaches to implant devices in even the smallest babies. This can mean fewer, smaller cuts on the outside of the skin for an easier recovery.Ìý
We offer the latest cardiac device technologies and equipment like leadless devices (without wires), and devices that can be placed just under the skin. We can keep track of your child’s heart from our offices and adjust devices without a visit.
Two Leading Pediatric Heart Centers
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes.ÌýÌý
Pacemakers can help kids with certain types of arrhythmia. Learn all about arrhythmias and treatment from the experts at 91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ KidsHealth®.
How does the heart beat? See how the heart and circulatory system work.
- echo
- Genetic Counseling
Here for Your Family, for the Long Term
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ heart team is here for the long term, managing your child’s condition and watching their device closely as they grow. From birth to adulthood, we help your child do what they love at every age and stage.
Our heart specialists are experts at implanting pacemakers using catheters, or thin tubes. This can mean an easier recovery for your child.
We make life a little easier with remote monitoring, video visits and routine appointments at locations that may be closer to home.
Our complete care includes therapies to strengthen your child’s spirit and live to their highest ability.
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ is researching children’s heart disease and sharing what we know so that kids everywhere can benefit.
Here for Your Family, for the Long Term
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ heart team is here for the long term, managing your child’s condition and watching their device closely as they grow. From birth to adulthood, we help your child do what they love at every age and stage.
Our heart specialists are experts at implanting pacemakers using catheters, or thin tubes. This can mean an easier recovery for your child.
We make life a little easier with remote monitoring, video visits and routine appointments at locations that may be closer to home.
Our complete care includes therapies to strengthen your child’s spirit and help them develop to their highest ability.
°Â±ð’r±ð researching children’s heart disease and sharing what we know so that kids everywhere can benefit.
Meet the Team
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ pacemaker and implanted devices teams are experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now.Ìý
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Joel D. Temple, MD
Cardiology Director, Electrophysiology; Associate Chief, CardiologyPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
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Bahram Kakavand, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab-OrlandoPrimary Office
Orlando, FL
Programs & Services
Our team works with pediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac psychologists, advanced practice providers, nurses and technicians with specialized experience in implanted cardiac devices. You get the highest quality of care and support in one place.
Depending on your child’s condition we may use:Ìý
- Pacemakers, or devices implanted under the skin that send electrical impulses to the heart to maintain a regular heart rate and rhythm
- Defibrillators, or devices that restore normal heart rhythm by delivering an electric shock to the heart in the event of life-threatening arrhythmias or cardiac arrest
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), or devices placed under the skin that continuously monitor heart rhythm and deliver shocks when dangerous arrhythmias are detected
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), or devices that coordinate the pumping of the heart's lower chambers and improve blood flow by sending small electrical impulses, which can be used to treat heart failure
- Implantable heart monitors, or devices placed under the skin to continuously monitor, for more than a year, heart rhythm and causes for fainting
91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ provides the full range of device care for your child’s exact needs. We offer:
- Device implantation using catheters (thin tubes) threaded through blood vessels or minimally invasive surgical methods
- Education and training on how devices work, care and maintenance, safety and moreÌýÌý
- Follow-up care, closely managing your child’s health, testing device function, and making adjustments as neededÌý
- Remote heart monitoring, using the 91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ app on a mobile device to continuously track heart rhythm and other vital signs from our office
- Troubleshooting and device maintenance to help with complications or component replacement
- Lead extraction, or surgically removing the thin wires implanted in the heart due to damage, infection or required upgrade
- Cardiac psychology support for the whole family with special programs to strengthen your child’s behavioral and learning developmentÌý
- Support services at the very start, from social work to Child Life and more
Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Related Specialties & Programs
Empowering You to Care for Your Child at Home
The 91ÖÆƬ³§ÔÚÏß¿´ inpatient heart care team helps you prepare for and manage your child’s care at home. We make sure you have everything you need, including training on devices, equipment and medicines before you leave.
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.
What to Expect
Learn More About Cardiac Devices
Pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators (CRT-Ds) have similar parts that provide different types of support.Ìý
They involve a battery-powered pulse generator and one or more wires, called leads, with electrodes at the ends. The electrodes are placed in the heart chambers and other areas as needed. The pulse generator receives electrical signals from the heart and, as programmed, sends an electrical pulse to help restore normal heart rhythm.Ìý
Pacemakers
Pacemakers are used to treat slow heart rate, or bradycardia and heart block. They focus on regulating and maintaining a normal heart rate. The leads are placed in the heart chambers and deliver a low-energy pulse when the heart beats too slowly. Wireless pacemakers are all one piece and do not have leads.Ìý
ICDs
ICDs are designed to treat life-threatening, fast or irregular heart rhythms, like ventricular tachycardia or certain forms of cardiomyopathy. Like pacemakers, the leads are placed in the heart chambers. When the heart beats too quickly or with an odd rhythm, a higher-energy shock is sent to restore the heart’s rhythm.Ìý
CRT-Ds
CRT-Ds are like pacemakers and ICDs, but they also offer cardiac resynchronization therapy. They help children who need more advanced heart rhythm support, like those with heart failure (when the heart doesn’t pump as it should). Leads are placed in the heart chambers, with an additional lead placed to stimulate the left side of the heart. This makes the heart’s pumping action more efficient.Ìý
What to Expect
Device Implantation
For some children we can implant devices using a transvenous approach. This means it’s inserted into the heart through a blood vessel, usually under the collarbone. This method uses catheters, or thin tubes guided by special X-ray imaging. It’s done in a special lab by electrophysiologists.
For others, we may use small cuts in the chest to place the device. A cardiothoracic surgeon performs this procedure.Ìý
In general, device implantation can take about four to six hours. Most kids will stay at the hospital overnight. They’ll need about six weeks before they can participate in intense, tiring activities.Ìý
Living With Implanted Devices
Children with implanted devices can and do live active lives.Ìý
Devices like pacemakers are safe and regular household appliances (microwaves, televisions, computers or cell phones) won’t interfere with them. Some items with strong magnets can, such as MRI machines, metal detectors and certain surgical tools. We’ll give you all the information you need to keep your child safe.
Be sure to inform your child’s health providers, including their dentist, about their device.