Having a cardiac device implanted is not the finish line. It is the beginning of an ongoing relationship between you, your device, and the physician responsible for keeping both in sync. Whether you are living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device, the quality of your follow-up care matters just as much as the initial procedure.
Dr. Menachem Wakslak and his team at Valley Heart & Rhythm specialize in exactly this kind of long-term, physician-led device management, bringing subspecialty electrophysiology expertise to every visit and every decision about your care.
What Are ICD and CRT Devices?
An ICD is an implanted device that continuously watches your heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electrical shock if it detects a life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It is typically recommended for patients at elevated risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
A CRT device, sometimes called a biventricular pacemaker, is designed for patients whose heart’s lower chambers are not beating in coordination. This is common in heart failure and reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency. By resynchronizing the ventricles, CRT devices can improve heart function and ease symptoms. Some patients receive a CRT-D, which combines resynchronization therapy with a built-in defibrillator.
Both ICDs and CRT devices are part of the broader family of pacemakers and cardiac devices, and each requires a tailored monitoring and management plan after implantation.
What Ongoing Device Care Involves
After your device is placed, regular follow-up with a cardiac electrophysiologist is essential. At Valley Heart & Rhythm, device care typically includes:
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Device interrogation to review stored data, assess lead performance, and monitor battery status
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Remote monitoring that allows your device to transmit readings between office visits so issues are identified early
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Programming adjustments when your rhythm patterns or clinical needs change
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Review of any recorded shocks, alerts, or arrhythmia episodes since your last visit
Remote monitoring has become a meaningful part of modern device care. Many ICDs and CRT devices can now automatically transmit data, allowing Dr. Wakslak and his team to stay informed without requiring an office visit. If something needs attention, you will hear about it promptly, not after the fact.
Who Benefits From Specialized Device Management?
If you have an implanted ICD or CRT device, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist should be overseeing that device. Managing these systems requires deep familiarity with current programming standards, a thorough understanding of how arrhythmias interact with device therapies, and the ability to interpret the data your device collects over time.
Dr. Wakslak is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist who has practiced in the San Fernando Valley since 2012. He trained at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed his electrophysiology fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He manages the full scope of cardiac devices, and he makes every decision about your device, guided by your complete clinical picture.
Why Choose Valley Heart & Rhythm for ICD and CRT Device Care in Tarzana, CA?
Device management is not a routine task. It is a clinical responsibility that requires a physician who knows your rhythm, your history, and what your device has been doing since your last visit. Dr. Wakslak founded Valley Heart & Rhythm specifically to provide that level of care, building a practice structured around continuity rather than volume.
At Valley Heart & Rhythm, you see the same electrophysiologist at every visit. Dr. Wakslak personally reviews your device data, makes his own programming decisions, and is accessible when questions arise between appointments. His team is intentionally small, which means everyone who works with you knows you by name. That kind of consistency is not common in high-volume cardiac care settings, and it makes a real difference when you are relying on a device to protect your life.
Reliable Device Care, Right Here in Tarzana
Your ICD or CRT device deserves the same level of expertise and attention after implantation as it received during the procedure. At Valley Heart & Rhythm, Dr. Wakslak and his team are committed to ensuring your device continues to work precisely as it should and that you feel informed and confident about your cardiac health at every stage.
To schedule a device management consultation with Dr. Wakslak at Valley Heart & Rhythm in Tarzana, CA, contact us at (818) 724-8000.
