Editing Defibrillation (section)

=== Implantable devices ===
A further development in defibrillation came with the invention of the implantable device, known as an [[implantable cardioverter-defibrillator]] (or ICD).  This was pioneered at [[Sinai Hospital (Maryland)|Sinai Hospital]] in [[Baltimore]] by a team that included Stephen Heilman, Alois Langer, Jack Lattuca, [[Morton Mower]], [[Michel Mirowski]], and [[Mir Imran]], with the help of industrial collaborator Intec Systems of Pittsburgh.<ref name="Wiley" /> Mirowski teamed up with Mower and Staewen, and together they commenced their research in 1969. However, it was 11 years before they treated their first patient. Similar developmental work was carried out by Schuder and colleagues at the [[University of Missouri]].

The work was commenced, despite doubts amongst leading experts in the field of arrhythmias and sudden death. There was doubt that their ideas would ever become a clinical reality. In 1962 [[Bernard Lown]] introduced the external [[Direct current|DC]] defibrillator. This device applied a direct current from a discharging capacitor through the chest wall into the heart to stop heart [[fibrillation]].<ref name="Aston" /> In 1972, Lown stated in the journal ''[[Circulation (journal)|Circulation]]'' – "The very rare patient who has frequent bouts of ventricular fibrillation is best treated in a coronary care unit and is better served by an effective antiarrhythmic program or surgical correction of inadequate coronary blood flow or ventricular malfunction. In fact, the implanted defibrillator system represents an imperfect solution in search of a plausible and practical application."<ref name="Giedwoyn" />

The problems to be overcome were the design of a system which would allow detection of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Despite the lack of financial backing and grants, they persisted and the first device was implanted in February 1980 at [[Johns Hopkins Hospital]] by Dr. [[Levi Watkins]] Jr. assisted by [[Vivien Thomas]]. Modern ICDs do not require a [[thoracotomy]] and possess [[Artificial cardiac pacemaker|pacing]], cardioversion, and defibrillation capabilities.

The invention of implantable units is invaluable to some people with regular heart problems, although they are generally only given to those people who have already had a cardiac episode.

People can live long normal lives with the devices.  Many patients have multiple implants.  A patient in Houston, Texas had an implant at the age of 18 in 1994 by the recent Dr. Antonio Pacifico. He was awarded "Youngest Patient with Defibrillator" in 1996. Today these devices are implanted into small babies shortly after birth.