What does AICD stand for?

• A. Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator
• B. Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• C. Automated Internal Cardiac Defibrillator
• D. Automatic External Defibrillator

Answer: (A)

AICD refers to an implanted device that automatically monitors the heart and treats dangerous rhythms to prevent sudden death. It stands for Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. The device is placed under the skin of the chest and connected to the heart by leads. It can deliver pacing to slow a fast heart rate (cardioversion/pacing) or deliver a high-energy shock to reset the heart when a life-threatening rhythm like ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation is detected. This is different from an Automatic External Defibrillator, which is a portable device used by bystanders in emergencies and is not implanted. In practice, you’ll most often see the term with “Cardioverter” rather than “Cardiac,” reflecting its function to correct rhythm disturbances.