Pacemaker Implantation Surgery

Pacemaker implantation is a surgical procedure where a small electrical device called a pacemaker is implanted on the chest or abdomen. The pacemaker sends regular electrical pulses that help keep your heart beating regularly.The pacemaker is a small metal box. It is attached to one or more wires, known as pacing leads, which run to the heart. The pacemaker contains: a battery, a pulse generator and a tiny computer circuit. Pacemakers can be programmed to adjust the discharge rate in response to one’s needs. Having a pacemaker implanted is a relatively straightforward process. It is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, which means the patient is awake during the procedure. The procedure usually takes about an hour and most people are well enough to leave hospital the day after surgery.

Advantages: Having a pacemaker fitted can greatly improve your quality of life as the heart rate and rhythm is normalized. It is a life saving device for the patients.

FAQs

Can I go back to my normal activities after my implant?

Very few activities will be off limits to you because you have a pacemaker. Your doctor may ask you to avoid strenuous activity just after surgery. Doing so helps ensure your lead(s) has time to attach firmly to your heart tissue. After that, you will probably be able to do most of the things you did before your implant.

Is it safe for me to use electrical appliances?

Your pacemaker is designed to work properly around most appliances and equipment, including microwaves, electric razors, and personal computers.

Will my pacemaker ever need to be replaced?

Eventually, yes. Your pacemaker runs on a battery. Like all batteries, the battery in your device will be used up over time. When the battery power reaches a certain point, your pacemaker needs to be replaced.

Related Procedures

Coronary Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a specialised procedure performed in a Cath lab (cardiac catheterisation laboratory). Since the patients are awake and alert through the procedure, they are given medication before and during angioplasty procedure to help relax

Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography is an imaging technique or a radiological test that helps visualize the insides of the coronary arteries. It shows the exact location and severity of any plaque formation and consequent narrowing of the coronary arteries. This helps the doctor to decide on what treatment is needed.

Valvuloplasty Surgery

Our heart is located in our chest cavity and is a pump made of special muscles known as myocardium. Our heart is divided into four chambers; two upper chambers known as auricles (atria) and two lower chambers are known as ventricles. They are interconnected by a passage and the opening and closing is controlled by valves.

Vascular Surgery

Arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels form the vascular system of our body and vascular surgery is a specialty dealing with diseases affecting the vascular system The diseases affecting our vascular system involve the obstruction in the blood flow due to blockages (aneurysms) in the vessels.

Heart Valve Surgery

Heart valve surgery is used to repair or replace diseased heart valves. Blood flows between different chambers of the heart must flow through a heart valve. Human heart has four valves namely Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral and Aortic Valves. If a valve is not working correctly, blood flow is impaired either by leakage or by back flow.

Cardiac Pacemaker

Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP Study & Ablation)

Electrophysiology is a branch of cardiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. Electrophysiologists are the cardiologists with special training in heart rhythms disorders and its management.

Closed Heart Surgery

Heart Surgery may be required to fix the problem with the functioning of the heart. Closed heart surgery does not require patients to be supported by a heart-lung bypass machine and the heart chambers are opened during the procedure. Some repairs are best performed using closed heart surgery.

Paediatric Cardiac Surgery

Heart surgery in children are indicated to repair heart defects a child is born with CHD (congenital heart defects) and heart diseases a child gets after birth. The surgery is needed for the child's wellbeing. There are many kinds of heart defects ranging from minor to serious.

Double Valve Surgery

Heart valve surgery fixes a damaged or faulty heart valve. There are two main types of heart valve surgeries: valve repair and valve replacement. Double valve surgery is a surgery where two valves are involved. Sometimes a faulty valve can be repaired by cutting away excess tissue in the cusps of the valve and sewing the edges together.

VSD Closure Surgery

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an opening or hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart. This wall is the ventricular septum. The hole causes oxygen-rich blood to leak from the left side of the heart to the right side.

ASD Closure Surgery

The upper chambers of the heart are divided a wall called “interatrial septum”. The defect in this wall is known as Atrial septal defect (ASD). It is a form of a congenital heart defect, the defect the baby is born with.