Pacemaker Implant

What is Pacemaker Implant?

A pacemaker implant is a medical procedure where a small electronic device called a pacemaker is placed in the chest to help regulate and control the heartbeat. It is commonly used for patients with heart rhythm problems or arrhythmias to ensure their heart beats at a normal and steady rate.

benefits of pacemaker implant;

• Improved Blood Flow: By maintaining a consistent heart rate, a pacemaker ensures efficient blood flow to the body's organs and tissues. This helps prevent symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and fainting associated with slow heart rates.

• Long-Term Solution: Once implanted, pacemakers provide a long-term solution for managing heart rhythm problems. Many pacemakers have a battery life of several years before needing replacement.

• Customized Settings: Pacemakers can be programmed to suit an individual's specific medical needs. The settings can be adjusted to ensure optimal heart rate control based on the patient's condition.

• Enhanced Heart Function: By maintaining a steady heart rate, a pacemaker can improve overall heart function and prevent the heart from working harder than necessary.

• Remote Monitoring: Many modern pacemakers come with remote monitoring capabilities, allowing healthcare providers to track the device's function and the patient's heart rhythm remotely.

• Emergency Backup: In cases where the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial node) fails to function properly, the pacemaker acts as a reliable backup to ensure a consistent heart rate.

• Patient Convenience: Pacemakers enable patients to live their lives more normally, reducing the need for frequent medical interventions and hospitalizations due to heart rhythm concerns.

What are the top 5 HEART Treatment hospitals in India?

• Manipal Hospitals

• Max Hospital

• Apollo Hospital

• Artemis Hospital

• Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Pre-Procedure

• Evaluation: Before the pacemaker implant, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, and heart tests like electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram to assess the heart's condition.

• Fasting: The patient is usually asked to fast for several hours before the procedure.

• Informed Consent: The healthcare team explains the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient, and obtains informed consent.

Procedure

• Anesthesia: The patient is given local anesthesia to numb the area where the pacemaker will be placed. In some cases, mild sedation may be given to help the patient relax.

• Incision: A small incision is made just below the collarbone, and the pacemaker leads (thin, insulated wires) are threaded through a vein and guided to the heart.

• Pacemaker Placement: The pacemaker generator (small metal box containing the battery and electronics) is placed under the skin through the incision. The leads are then attached to the heart's wall, and the pacemaker generator is connected to the leads.

• Testing: Once the pacemaker is in place, the healthcare team tests its functionality by monitoring the heart's rhythm and adjusting the settings to ensure it meets the patient's needs.

Post-Procedure

• Recovery: After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery area to be closely monitored. Most patients can go home on the next day.

• Medications: The patient may be prescribed medications to prevent infection and manage any discomfort or other medical conditions.

• Activity Restrictions: Patients are advised to avoid raising the arm on the side of the pacemaker implant for a few weeks to prevent dislodging the leads.