What is a Pacemaker?
The heart is an organ capable of generating and transmitting electrical impulses. Normally, the heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. Pacemakers are medical devices consisting of a battery and leads, used in the treatment of problems that arise in the heart’s impulse generation system or electrical conduction system, which transmits the generated impulses.
What Are the Types of Pacemakers?
- Permanent pacemakers
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICD)
- Pacemakers used in heart failure (three-lead pacemakers – CRT)
How Is a Pacemaker Implanted?
Pacemaker implantation is performed in catheter laboratories where angiography procedures are conducted. The duration of the procedure varies depending on the type of pacemaker implanted, but it generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes. During the procedure, the patient is given sedation (a sleep-like state), and the area where the pacemaker will be placed is numbed with local anesthesia. A 4-5 cm incision is made approximately 2 cm below the clavicle on the anterior chest wall. Using the veins in this area, the pacemaker leads (electrodes) are guided toward the heart. The electrodes are then connected to the pacemaker generator, which is placed in the prepared pocket, completing the procedure.
What Is the Recovery Process After Pacemaker Implantation?
Patients who undergo pacemaker implantation are typically monitored in the hospital for about two days, and those without complications are discharged. To prevent infection at the pacemaker site, patients must have regular wound care for about 10-14 days. Stitches are usually removed after approximately two weeks. A pacemaker check is performed in the first month, and afterward, the patient is expected to have routine follow-ups, usually every six months.
How Long Does a Pacemaker Last?
The lifespan of a pacemaker varies depending on the patient’s needs and the type of device but generally ranges between 6 and 10 years. Patients undergo pacemaker checks approximately every six months with a pacemaker control device, which helps determine the remaining battery life. When the battery is depleted, only the generator part is replaced.
What Should Patients with a Pacemaker Be Aware Of?
- Patients with a pacemaker should keep their mobile phones at least 15-20 cm away from the pacemaker generator while talking. It is advisable to use the phone on the ear opposite the pacemaker side, and mobile phones should not be carried in the chest pocket on the side of the pacemaker.
- X-ray scanning devices used in airports, shopping malls, and other locations may alter pacemaker programming. Therefore, pacemaker patients are advised not to pass through X-ray scanning devices.
- Air travel and general travel pose no risks for pacemaker patients.
- There are no restrictions on undergoing X-rays, ultrasounds, or computed tomography (CT) scans. However, patients should consult their physician before undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Dr. Ahmet YANIK
Cardiology Specialist
