ICD
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical |
ICD has three meanings. The most common are Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (cardiology) and International Classification of Diseases (health insurance); it can also stand for Irritant contact dermatitis.
Meanings of ICD at a glance
| # | ICD stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator | Medical › Cardiology |
| 2 | International Classification of Diseases | Medical › Health Insurance |
| 3 | Irritant contact dermatitis | Medical › Dermatology |
1. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Medical · Cardiology Abbreviations
Implanted device that continuously monitors heart rhythm and treats dangerous ventricular arrhythmias with rapid pacing or an internal shock. It is used for secondary prevention after cardiac arrest or sustained VT and for primary prevention in high-risk patients, such as those with an ejection fraction of 35 percent or less.
Example: Dual-chamber ICD placed after VT arrest; interrogation shows one appropriate shock last month.
Michel Mirowski and colleagues implanted the first automatic defibrillator in a human in 1980. Antitachycardia pacing can end many VT episodes painlessly before a shock is needed. Inappropriate shocks, for example from fast atrial fibrillation or a fractured lead, are a major quality-of-life issue. In coding and insurance ICD far more often means the International Classification of Diseases.
2. International Classification of Diseases
Medical · Health Insurance Abbreviations
World Health Organization standard for classifying diseases, injuries, symptoms and causes of death, used worldwide for mortality statistics and health records and, in many countries, for insurance billing. National modifications such as the US ICD-10-CM add detail for clinical and billing use.
Example: Death certificates are coded with ICD so mortality trends can be compared across countries.
ICD traces back to the Bertillon Classification of Causes of Death adopted in 1893, and the WHO took responsibility with the sixth revision in 1948. Revisions are numbered ICD-9, ICD-10, ICD-11 and so on. In cardiology ICD means implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, so a device context signals that meaning.
3. Irritant contact dermatitis
Medical · Dermatology Abbreviations
Skin inflammation caused directly by damage from irritants such as water, soaps, detergents, solvents and friction, without any allergy. It is the most common type of contact dermatitis, especially on the hands of healthcare workers, cleaners, hairdressers and food handlers.
Example: Hand ICD from frequent handwashing in ICU nurse; switch to alcohol rub and barrier cream.
Unlike allergic contact dermatitis, ICD can occur on first exposure if the irritant is strong enough. Gloves, moisturizers and reducing wet work are key prevention measures. ICD is far more often an abbreviation for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or the International Classification of Diseases, so dermatology notes usually write "irritant dermatitis".
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- HRS – Heart Rhythm Society
- hs-cTn – High-sensitivity cardiac troponin
- HTN – Hypertension
- IABP – Intra-aortic balloon pump
- ICM – Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- IE – Infective endocarditis
- iFR – Instantaneous wave-free ratio
- IHD – Ischemic heart disease
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
More health insurance abbreviations
- HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- HMO – Health maintenance organization
- HRA – Health reimbursement arrangement
- HSA – Health savings account
- ICD-10 – International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
- ICD-10-CM – ICD-10 Clinical Modification
- ICD-10-PCS – ICD-10 Procedure Coding System
- ICD-11 – International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision
See all 107 health insurance abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.