East Carolina Heart Institute at Vidant Medical Center among first hospitals in North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

    For Immediate Release:

To implant first-in-class S-ICD® System implantable defibrillator for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest

    GREENVILLE, NC     The East Carolina Heart Institute at Vidant Medical Center is among the first hospitals in North Carolina to implant the Boston Scientific S-ICD® System, the world's first and only commercially available subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) for the treatment of patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

    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 SCA and indicated for an ICD device, but remain unprotected.

    The S-ICD System is designed to provide the same protection from SCA as traditional transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). However, the entirety of the S-ICD System sits just below the skin without the need for thin, insulated wires  -  known as leads  -  to be placed into the heart itself. This leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched, providing a new exciting solution for both physicians and patients.

    "The hallmark of the totally subcutaneous defibrillator is the preservation of the vasculature of the heart and venous system plus a very straightforward and safe implant process," said Dr. David Frazier, director of the cardiac electrophysiology lab at the East Carolina Heart Institute at Vidant Medical Center. "Our initial implant was extremely well tolerated by the patient who was not a candidate for a standard transvenous ICD. We are very excited to offer this new technology to our patients."

    The S-ICD System 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 serves as a pathway for shock delivery when necessary. Both components are implanted just under the skin - the generator at the side of the chest, and the electrode beside the breastbone. Implantation with the S-ICD System is straightforward and can be done using only anatomical landmarks which removes the need for fluoroscopy (an X-ray procedure that is required for standard leads to be placed in the heart).

    The S-ICD System is intended to provide defibrillation therapy for the treatment of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients who do not have symptomatic bradycardia, incessant ventricular tachycardia, or spontaneous, frequently recurring ventricular tachycardia that is reliably terminated with anti-tachycardia pacing.

    The S-ICD System received CE Mark in 2009 and is commercially available in many countries in Europe as well as New Zealand. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted regulatory approval for the S-ICD System in September 2012. To date, more than 2,000 devices have been implanted in patients around the world.

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 847-7735 or beth.atkins@VidantHealth.com

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com