What Is a Pacemaker?
The heart, the most vital organ for sustaining life, is responsible for pumping blood throughout the entire body. While doing this, the heart generates electrical impulses within the body. As blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the arteries, the heartbeat is felt in the farthest arteries. This is described as the pulse. The pulse increases when a person is stressed or excited, and decreases when they calm down.
If a person's normal heartbeat slows down or becomes irregular for any reason, a pacemaker is used for help. The pacemaker, which detects and monitors pulse movements and the heart's natural rhythm, takes on the task of stimulating the heart in the event of an abnormal slowdown.
What Are the Types of Pacemakers?
Pacemakers are structurally made up of two separate parts. One is the "generator", which is responsible for energy production and regulates the operation and structure of the pacemaker; the other is the "electrode", which is responsible for connecting the pacemaker to the heart. The number of electrodes inside a pacemaker varies depending on the type of pacemaker. To treat rhythm disorders, some pacemakers have the special capability of delivering a shock.
Pacemakers are basically divided into 4 groups:
Temporary pacemakers, which are placed for 10-14 days
Permanent pacemakers
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Pacemakers Used in Heart Failure
Who Gets a Pacemaker?
Pacemakers are used for several different purposes. In general, a pacemaker is used:
For patients with a slow heart rate
For patients with special conditions such as heart attack, heart insufficiency and congenital thickening of the heart muscle
In those with heart failure, when the contraction functions of the heart are impaired, to prompt all regions of the heart to contract simultaneously
is used.
How Is a Pacemaker Implanted?
A pacemaker is implanted using fluoroscopy, an X-ray imaging method also used during coronary angiography. Thanks to the fluoroscopy system, the advancement of the pacemaker electrodes is monitored.
The patient is first taken to the angiography laboratory and put into a sleep-like state with medications given intravenously. Then, a 3-4 cm incision is made under the collarbone under local anesthesia. Through this incision, the veins are accessed and the leads of the pacemaker, that is, the electrodes, are guided to the heart via the veins. Meanwhile, the other ends of the leads are connected to the generator, and the device is placed through the incision into a pocket opened under the muscles. The procedure takes an average of 25-30 minutes.
What Is the Recovery Process After Pacemaker Surgery Like?
After a pacemaker is implanted, the patient's return to normal life takes an average of 10-15 days, although this varies depending on the surgery and the patient's general health condition. For the first month, care should be taken so that the leads do not move out of place. During this period;
Especially avoiding sweating
Keeping the incision area dry and clean
Not raising the treated arm more than 90 degrees
Not carrying weight with the treated arm for 3 months
Not lying on the treated area at night for 1 month
is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Pacemaker Last?
On the other hand, the lifespan of pacemakers varies depending on frequency of use. The average lifespan is 5-10 years. Afterwards, the batteries need to be replaced.
Can people with a pacemaker use a mobile phone?
Electronic devices may adversely affect a pacemaker when held within 15 cm of it. Therefore, although there is no harm in using a mobile phone, it is recommended to carry the phone as far away from the pacemaker as possible and to use it with the hand and ear on the side without the pacemaker.
Can people with a pacemaker pass through X-ray devices?
Handheld metal detectors and X-ray devices may adversely affect the operation of a pacemaker in some rare cases. For this reason, people with a pacemaker are advised to request a manual check by showing their pacemaker card at places such as shopping centers and airports.
Can people with a pacemaker drive home after surgery?
No, for safety reasons it is recommended not to drive for 15 days to 1 month after the procedure.
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