What is the Cost of a Pacemaker and ICD?

Understanding the Cost of a Pacemaker and ICD

An Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) is a device similar in appearance to a pacemaker but with a critical added function: it can deliver a high-energy shock to stop life-threateningly fast heart rhythms. While some devices combine pacing and defibrillation functions, they are distinct from standard pacemakers used solely for slow heart rhythms.

Being the most crucial organ of the body, all surgeries or procedures related to the heart are expensive, which can result in a significant financial burden. Hence, it is essential to have an understanding of the overall cost of ICD implantation to prepare oneself financially.

Scroll down to explore the costs of ICD implantation in different cities of India, along with the factors that influence them.

What Type of Patients Require a Pacemaker and ICD?

Patients with the following heart problems require a pacemaker and ICD implantation to improve heart function and prolong life:

• Weak heart
• Heart failure
• History of sudden cardiac arrest
• Any life-threatening arrhythmias
• Post-transplant arrhythmias
• Genetic heart problems like Long QT syndrome

What is the Price Range of Pacemaker and ICD Implantation in Different Cities of India?

The price range of the pacemaker and ICD implantation in different cities of India is provided in the table below:

Note: The cost of an ICD implantation is highly dependent on the type of device. The device itself is the largest cost component.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Pacemaker and ICD Implantation?

The factors influencing the cost of pacemaker and ICD implantation are broadly classified into three sections: Hospital, Medical Team, and Patient factors. Find a detailed explanation in the following section:

1. Hospital Factors

The hospital factors consist of the following:

1. Nature of Hospital: If the ICD implantation is performed in a government hospital, the cost of surgery is significantly lower compared to a private hospital.
2. Health Insurance Usage: If the patient is a health insurance holder, then a significant part of the expenses is covered by the insurance company.
3. Reputation of the Facility: Reputable hospitals often have higher charges owing to their brand value and provision of top-notch services.

2.  Medical Team Factors

The medical team factors include:

1. Surgeon’s Expertise: Cardiac surgeons with years of experience will typically charge higher fees compared to younger, less experienced healthcare providers.
2. Type of Approach or Extent of Surgery: ICD implantation is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a small incision. The type of anaesthesia used (sedation or general) is standard and does not significantly impact the overall cost, which is dominated by the price of the ICD device.
3. Type of Anaesthesia: Among all the types of anaesthesia, total intravenous anaesthesia is the most expensive, owing to its use of costly drugs and advanced monitoring techniques.

3.  Patient Factors

The patient factors consist of the following:

1. Medical Condition of the Patient: If the patient suffers from other chronic illnesses in addition to heart problems, it contributes to the overall cost of treatment and pacemaker ICD implantation.
2. Type of Room Chosen: If the individual chooses to stay in a cabin rather than general wards, then the overall cost of the pacemaker ICD implantation will increase.
3. Supportive Treatments: If the patient requires additional specific treatments in conjunction with ICD implantation, these will be factored into the bill, which will increase the overall cost of the procedure.

ICD implantation is a life-saving procedure for severe arrhythmia, which may lead to cardiac arrest if not treated in time. However, the method can be expensive owing to the modern technologies and techniques used by the surgeon, which may appear as a financial burden.

Also Read:

→ Cost of an Angiogram in Narayana Hospital Bangalore

→ Cost of an Angiogram in Chennai

→ Cost of Angioplasty in Mumbai

→ Cost of Bone Cancer Treatment in India

→ Cost of Bypass Surgery in Bangalore