What device is commonly used to treat severe arrhythmias?

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is specifically designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver electrical shocks when it detects life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia. This ability to rapidly restore normal rhythm makes the ICD a critical intervention for individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to severe arrhythmias. The device continuously assesses the heart's electrical activity, acting as a life-saving measure by automatically administering therapy when necessary.

In contrast, a pacemaker primarily addresses bradycardia or slow heart rates by sending electrical impulses to maintain an adequate heart rhythm, but it does not treat fast arrhythmias directly. A coronary stent is employed to keep blocked coronary arteries open and is more related to coronary artery disease rather than directly managing arrhythmias. Cardiac catheterization serves diagnostic purposes or can aid in certain therapeutic procedures but is not a direct treatment for arrhythmias. Thus, the ICD stands out as the most effective device for the management of severe arrhythmias.