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PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION
Pacemaker Implantation: A Comprehensive Guide by Specialists
Understanding Cardiac Emergencies and the Role of a Consultant Cardiologist
Implanting a pacemaker can save a person’s life if they have a slow or irregular heartbeat. A pacemaker helps control your heart rhythm and enhance your quality of life if your heart’s natural electrical system fails and your heart beats too slowly. We’ll cover all you need to know about pacemaker implantation in this guide, including its goals, how it’s done, and what to expect afterward.
What is a Pacemaker and Why Might You Need One?
The electrical circuitry of the heart regulates its pulse rate to maintain a regular, steady rhythm. A breakdown in this system can result in bradycardia, or an excessively slow heartbeat, which can produce symptoms including exhaustion, lightheadedness, dyspnoea, and fainting. It is advised that those whose sluggish pulse is not adequately controlled by medicine or lifestyle modifications have a pacemaker implanted.
Among the common reasons for a sluggish heartbeat are:
- Aging: Natural changes in the heart due to aging.
- Heart diseases: Conditions like coronary artery disease or heart valve issues.
- Medications: Some drugs, particularly beta-blockers, can slow the heart.
- Congenital heart defects: Issues present from birth that affect heart rhythm.
Pacemaker Implantation Procedure
Pacemaker implantation is a relatively straightforward procedure performed by a specialist cardiologist. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:
1.Pre-procedure Preparation:
- Your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare, including stopping any drugs that may interfere with the operation, such as blood thinners.
- You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the operation.
- Inform your doctor if you have a preference for the side of the chest where the pacemaker will be installed, especially if you indulge in chest or shoulder-related sports, such as rifle shooting.
2. On the Day of Surgery:
- Upon arrival at the hospital, you will sign consent documents and change into a patient gown.
- You will be given an intravenous (IV) line for fluids and drugs to aid in your relaxation.
- The region where the pacemaker will be installed (typically the chest) will be cleansed and maybe shaved for sterility.
3.Implantation
- A small incision is made in the chest, and the pacemaker’s leads (thin wires) are threaded through a vein to the heart.
- The pacemaker itself is placed under the skin in a small pocket. Once in place, the device is tested to ensure proper function.
4.Post-Procedure Care
The incision site will be bandaged, and you’ll be closely monitored for any complications. Most patients go home within a day.
How Pacemakers Help?
A pacemaker is a tiny, battery-powered device that transmits electrical impulses to the heart, keeping it beating at a regular, healthy rhythm. It can alleviate symptoms of bradycardia and allow you to take drugs that might otherwise cause your heart to slow too much. Best of all, it enables patients to resume a more active, rewarding lifestyle. However, having a pacemaker is a lifelong commitment that needs frequent examinations to ensure it functions correctly.
When to Call Your Doctor
It’s crucial to monitor your health after the procedure and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of infection at the incision site (redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage).
- Fever higher than 100°F (37.7°C).
- Worsening pain or swelling around the pacemaker.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling in your arm or hand on the side of the pacemaker.
- Persistent hiccups or twitching of chest muscles.
Pacemaker Checkups and Maintenance
A pacemaker needs to be checked on a regular basis to make sure it’s working right. A few times a year, your doctor will look at the device to see how long the battery lasts and make any necessary settings changes. We put a wand over the skin where the pacemaker is to collect information about how well it works during these visits. After about 10 years, if the battery is getting low, your doctor will plan surgery to replace it. As long as the repair is done, the pacemaker will keep working properly.
- AICD Implantation: For patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, an Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) can be implanted to detect and correct life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: A procedure to correct abnormal heart rhythms by destroying the tissue that causes the arrhythmia.
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): Used to treat heart failure by coordinating the heart’s contractions for more efficient pumping.
- Leadless Pacemakers: A newer, smaller pacemaker that doesn’t require leads, reducing certain risks associated with traditional pacemakers.
Living with a Pacemaker
Living with a pacemaker allows individuals to return to a more active and healthy lifestyle. Though it requires regular maintenance and a few lifestyle adjustments, the benefits significantly outweigh the inconveniences, as a pacemaker can improve both the quality and longevity of life. If you’re experiencing symptoms of bradycardia or other heart rhythm disorders, consulting with a specialist cardiologist is the first step in determining whether a pacemaker or another advanced cardiac treatment can help.
For more information on pacemaker implantation or related procedures, consult a us, we are specialize in cardiac care and pacemaker management.
Our Specialties
- Cardiac Emergency
- Pacemakers Implantation
- Adult Echocardiography
- Angiography & Angoplasty
- Exercise Tolerence Testing
- Stress Testing with Echocardiography
- Holtor Monitoring 24H to 48H
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