Skip to main content

What Is A Pacemaker? Types Risk and Operation of Pacemaker

what is pacemaker? risk types and operation of pacemaker

What Is A Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is an implantable device which is positioned typically underneath your left collarbone. It consists of a battery with a computer circuit connected to one or more pacing electrodes (electrical wires) which attach to your heart.

Types of Pacemakers

Single-chamber pacemaker

This type of pacemaker has one lead that connects the pulse generator to one chamber of your heart.

For most people, we use the single-chamber pacemaker to control heartbeat pacing by connecting the lead to your right ventricle (lower heart chamber). Depending on your symptoms and the type of pacing you need, we connect the lead to your right atrium (upper heart chamber) to stimulate the pacing in that chamber.

This pacemaker helps the two chambers work together, contracting and relaxing in the proper rhythm. The contractions allow blood to flow properly from the right atrium into the right ventricle.

Depending on the pacing needs of your heart, a dual-chamber device may be an appropriate option for you.

Dual-chamber pacemaker


With two leads, this device connects to both chambers on the right side of your heart, the right atrium and the right ventricle. The doctor programs the dual-chamber pacemaker to regulate the pace of contractions of both chambers.

Biventricular pacemaker

This pacemaker, also known as a cardiac re synchronization therapy (CRT) device, has three leads connected to the right atrium and both ventricles. We use the bi ventricular pacemaker to treat people with arrhythmia caused by advanced heart failure.


For many people with heart failure, the left and right ventricles do not pump at the same time. Our doctors program the bi ventricular pacemaker to coordinate the contractions of the ventricles, so that they both pump together.

Coordinating the ventricles’ contractions helps your heart pump blood more efficiently and can relieve your heart failure symptoms. The treatment is known as cardiac resynchronization therapy because it re synchronizes the ventricles’ pumping action.

What does pacemaker operation involve?


The operation of the pacemaker is performed by a specialist doctor in an air-conditioned room that has an X-ray machine and measuring equipment. The procedure can last up to 1 - 2 hours. You will be required to lie flat on a special table which can be moved around.

The X-ray camera will be positioned above you and will also move around.  You will be attached to an ECG monitor and the area under your left collarbone will be cleaned with a cold sterilizing solution.

This is where the pacemaker is implanted under the skin. If you are left handed, the area under the right collarbone may be used instead.

The area will be injected with local anesthetic (to make it numb) and if you are anxious, you may be given a sedative to make you feel relaxed and sleepy.

A small cut in the skin, about  5cm (2 inches) long will be made once the skin is numb. The procedure involves passing the pacing leads through a vein to the heart. You will not be aware of this but may be aware of your heart speeding up or slowing down during the procedure.

A cardiac physiologist will test the leads which are attached to the pacemaker, and then placed under the skin.

The wound is sutured together and the suture will need to be removed in 7 – 10 days by your local District Nurse or GP surgery. Some doctors may use  a special skin glue instead of sutures. After the procedure you will need to have a chest X-ray to confirm correct positioning of the pacing leads.

Pacemaker Risk Factors:

Risks associated with pacemaker system implant include, but are not limited to, infection at the surgical site and/or sensitivity to the device material, failure to deliver therapy when it is needed, or receiving extra therapy when it is not needed.

All medical procedures and devices can create possible problems. The risk of a problem with a pacemaker is low. But, over the long-term, about 1 in 10 patients do have some type of problem with their pacemaker pocket or leads. Your doctor will talk to you before your procedure about the risks and benefits of the implant.

After receiving an implantable pacemaker system, you will have limitations with respect to magnetic and electromagnetic fields, electric or gas-powered appliances, and tools with which you are allowed to be in contact.

For pacemaker treatment/ operation and diagnosing i recommend you to consult with doctor. If you are living in London contact with Dr Boon Lim - Voted Best Cardiologist in London.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A-FIB VERSUS JUNCTIONAL RHYTHMS

. ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: On your rhythm strip, the two most important characteristics are: . 1) A rhythm that’s IRREGULARLY irregular (meaning there’s no way to predict the next beat) 2) No discernible P waves . In fact, if you notice an irregularly irregular rhythm and you’re having to convince yourself that you see P waves... it’s probably A-fib (multifocal atrial arrhythmias like WAP/MAT could fit the differential) . *In my opinion: Don’t get caught up in using fibrillation waves as an absolute criteria. Very fine A-fib can sometimes produce a near isoelectric line between beats. . JUNCTIONAL RHYTHMS: The pacemaker cells surrounding the AV junction are capable of initiating regular impulses but at a slightly slower natural rate than their sinus and atrial superiors. The heart is built this way so that when the pacemaker cells with the fastest intrinsic rates are in action, those below are suppressed and function primarily to pass along the impulse from above. . For these reasons, we s...
1 comment
Read more

The Pathway of Blood

Here’s a great illustration on the pathway of blood flow through the heart. It may seem easy...but you should know this cold as well as the cardiac anatomy, both of which will make procedures and understanding hemodynamics easier. . . . đŸ’™VENOUS BLOOD- Blood flows into the heart (into the right atrium) through two major veins (the superior and inferior vena cava) as well as from the coronary sinus (cardiac venous blood from the coronaries) and then out through the first AV valve (tricuspid valve) into the right ventricle. From there blood flows into the right ventricular outflow tract, across the first semilunar valve (pulmonic valve) and into the main and then left and right pulmonary arteries. Blood then enters the lungs to become oxygenated. . . . ❤️ARTERIAL BLOOD- now that blood is oxygenated flow goes from the lungs into the left atrium through 4 veins (usually) called the pulmonary veins. From the left atrium blood flows across the other AV valve (mitral valve) and into the left ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Stop Ectopic Beats

What is Ectopic Beats? According to Dr. Boon Lim - Ectopic beats are also known as Ectopic Heart Rhythm or cardiac ectopy. It is produced when the heart creates a premature beat, usually followed by a brief pause. Types of Ectopic Beats: 1. Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) 2. Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) Causes Of Ectopic Beats There are different causes of Ectopic Beats. Some of these are  Excessive alcohol consumption Excessive caffine consumptionPrescription drugs Stress (which produces high adrenaline levels) Exercise Diarrhoea and vomitting, which may disturb electrolyte levels (typically low potassium levels) Heart muscle damage from a heart attack Heart enlargement (cardiomyopathy) Valvular heart disease, such as a floppy mitral valve (mitral valve prolapse) Symptoms of Ectopic Beats Following Can Be The Symptom of Ectopic Beats: your heart is fluttering you are hyper aware of your heartbeat you feel faint or ...
Post a Comment
Read more