Basic Information Relating To Pacemaker Placement

By Laura Fox


The normal heart is controlled by electrical discharge originating from an area known as the sinoatrial node. The discharge flows from the atria to the ventricles and culminates in ventricular contraction. The contraction pumps blood to the large arteries and the cycle starts all over again. In some cases, the node is not discharging normally resulting into abnormal rate and rhythm. An artificial pacemaker will be needed in such a case to restore normalcy.

The main role of pacing devices in Princeton, NJ is to restore normal rate and rhythm. A number of other benefits can be realized in some patients. Fainting episodes (also known as syncope) are often the result of heart disease. Abnormal heart rate and rhythm may interfere with blood supply to the brain. Normalizing the rate usually helps solve the problem. Other conditions that may be managed using the approach include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

The decision to have the device placed is usually made by a cardiologist. This is done after they evaluate the patient by taking a clinical history, conducting a physical examination and requesting for a number of investigations such as the electrocardiogram and the echocardiogram. Once the criteria has been met and one has been considered a suitable candidate the procedure is scheduled. Drugs likely to cause bleeding are to be avoided for a couple of days.

The procedure used to insert the pacer is fairly simple. Local or general anesthesia are usually used for the management of pain. Once the anesthesia has been administered, a small cut is made on an area on the shoulder to be used for the insertion. Once in place, leads are directed to the heart under the guidance of an instrument known as a fluoroscope. The entire surgery takes an average of thirty to ninety minutes.

Although the operation is considered a day case in most centers, you may have to be admitted overnight. This provides an opportunity for the heart rate and rhythm to be monitored. The frequency may have to be adjusted if the rate is either too high or too low. There are a number of complications that may ensue after the operation. They include bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, infections and more rarely, puncture of the lung or the heart.

Patients should have regular medical checkups. This are meant to help determine if the device is in proper working condition. The first full checkup should be done six weeks after the surgery. Unless complications have been encountered, subsequent checkups are then done after every six months. During the evaluation, a number of parameters have to be assessed. They include the threshold, the lead integrity and pacer sensing ability.

There is no need to change your lifestyle even after placement of the device. However, there are a number of precautions that should be undertaken. For instance, you should avoid taking part in full contact sports as well as any activities in which they are likely to come into contact with strong magnetic fields. There may be a need for antibiotics when some medical conditions are being conducted to prevent infection of the device.

A patient who has been fitted with a pacer device should carry with them an identification card. On the card, is important information relating to their condition such as their diagnosis, the etiology, and an electrocardiogram tracing. Other information that may be included includes the doctor who did the placement, the date of manufacture of the pacer, the model and the types of leads used. The card makes it possible for other hospitals to manage the patient easily.




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