pacemakers for the heart whats the procedure?

Question

once the pacemaker procedure is done whats the recupration period. How long would you be closley watched, say in the intensive care unit? How long will you be heavly sedated?

Answer 1

put one end of each cord in one hand and turn up the power to full blast....it's kinda fun but i wouldn't do it all the time

Answer 2

Actually, unless there's a more complicated reason for it, the procedure lasts, Im not joking, about 15 minutes. You arent put out, your sedated to the point of being a little 'out of it', and they numb the local area. They insert the pacemaker under your muscle, your awake the entire time. You won't be in the hospital long, some people leave that same day. You'll get it 'adjusted' with a computer that talks to it, and then you'll have follow up appts. every so often. Not much ICU as far as I know. It's a relatively simple and minor procedure...for the doctor. For the patient it can be scary, but it's not bad.
If you've ever had a cardiac cath the procedure is similar

Answer 3

In most cases, it's a day procedure. But, depending on the time of day, you might stay overnight. You will be monitored on a cardiac unit but, not ICU ( Intensive Care Unit). It's usually performed under local anesthesia but, they may give you some medication to relax you. Provided there are no complications, it's a simple procedure, although, for you, it's quite scary.Perfect normal to feel that way. I hope that this helps and Good Luck.

Answer 4

To answer your question I refer you to the following links:

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)- Pacemaker
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pace/pace_whatis.html

MedlinePlus - Pacemaker
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007070.htm

MayoClinic.com - Pacemakers: Generating regular heartbeats
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacemakers/HQ01165

AllRefer.com - Pacemaker
http://health.allrefer.com/health/pacemaker-info.html

Anyone or all of these links provide a simple explanation of the procedure, recovery and maintenance. In most cases the procedure takes about an hour. You remain awake with pain controlled throughout the procedure. Most patients are kept about 1 day before going home. I strongly suggest you see the first link from the NHLBI.

Hope this answers all your questions!

Terry

Answer 5

when my mother was fitted, it was a relatively short surgery to install the wires and recovery time was quick. total time was under 4 hours. including the sleeping off the sedation.
she spent one day in ccu and one day just in the hospital under observation.

her's was a permanent pacemaker, not a temp like the paramedic describes above.

Answer 6

All precedents have answered well, here are some precautions too:

An "artificial pacemaker" is a small, battery-operated device that helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm. Some are permanent (internal) and some are temporary (external). They can replace a defective natural pacemaker or blocked pathway.

* A pacemaker uses batteries to send electrical impulses to the heart to help it pump properly. An electrode is placed next to the heart wall and small electrical charges travel through the wire to the heart.

* Most pacemakers are demand pacemakers. They have a sensing device. It turns the signal off when the heartbeat is above a certain level. It turns the signal back on when the heartbeat is too slow.

AHA Recommendation

If you have an artificial pacemaker, be aware of your surroundings and the devices that may interfere with pulse generators:

Home appliances

* CB radios, electric drills, electric blankets, electric shavers, ham radios, heating pads, metal detectors, microwave ovens, TV transmitters and remote control TV changers, in general, have not been shown to damage pacemaker pulse generators, change pacing rates or totally inhibit pacemaker output.

* Several of these devices have a remote potential to cause interference by occasionally inhibiting a single beat. However, most people can continue to use these devices without significant worry about damage or interference with their pacemakers.

* Power-generating equipment, arc welding equipment and powerful magnets (as in medical devices, heavy equipment or motors) can inhibit pulse generators. Patients who work with or near such equipment should know that their pacemakers may not work properly in those conditions.

Cellphones

* Cellphones available in the United States (less than 3 watts) don't seem to damage pulse generators or affect how the pacemaker works.

* Technology is rapidly changing as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making new frequencies available. Newer cellphones using these new frequencies might make pacemakers less reliable. A group of cellphone companies is studying that possibility.

Medical equipment

* Carry a wallet I.D. card with you. Equipment used by doctors and dentists can affect your pacemaker, so tell them you have one.

* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnet to produce images of internal organs and functions. Metal objects are attracted to the magnet and are normally not allowed near MRI machines. The magnet can interrupt the pacing and inhibit the output of pacemakers. If MRI must be done, the pacemaker output in some models can be reprogrammed. Discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits before you undergo MRI scanning.

* Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a noninvasive treatment that uses hydraulic shocks to dissolve kidney stones. This procedure is safe for most pacemaker patients, with some reprogramming of the pacing. You'll need careful follow-up after the procedure and for several months to be sure your unit is working properly. Patients with certain kinds of pacemakers implanted in the abdomen should avoid ESWL. Discuss your specific case with your doctor before and after the treatment.

* Radiofrequency (RF) ablation uses radio waves to manage a wide variety of arrhythmias. Recent studies of patients with implanted pacing systems measured the units before, during and after RF catheter ablation. They showed that most permanent pacemakers aren't adversely affected by radio frequencies during catheter ablation. A variety of changes in your pacemaker can occur during and after the treatment. Your doctor should carefully evaluate your pacing system after the procedure.

* Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used to relieve acute or chronic pain. Several electrodes are placed on the skin and connected to a pulse generator. Most studies have shown that TENS rarely inhibits bipolar pacing. It may sometimes briefly inhibit unipolar pacing. This can be treated by reprogramming the pulse generator.

* Diagnostic radiation (such as screening X-ray) appears to have no effect on pacemaker pulse generators. However, therapeutic radiation (such as for treating cancerous tumors) may damage the pacemaker's circuits. The degree of damage is unpredictable and may vary with different systems. But the risk is significant and builds up as the radiation dose increases. The American Heart Association recommends that the pacemaker be shielded as much as possible, and moved if it lies directly in the radiation field. If you depend on your pacemaker for normal heart pacing, the electrocardiogram (ECG) should be monitored during the treatment, and your pulse generator should be tested often after and between radiation sessions.

* Dental equipment doesn't appear to affect pacemakers adversely. Some patients may feel an increase in pacing rates during dental drilling.

* Electroconvulsive therapy (such as for certain mental disorders) appears to be safely used in patients with pacemakers.

* Short-wave or microwave diathermy uses high-frequency, high-intensity signals. These may bypass your pacemaker's noise protection and interfere with or permanently damage the pulse generator.