OUR PROCEDURES - Pacemaker Implant

What is a pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a
suitable heart rate or to stimulate the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). A pacemaker may also be used to treat fainting spells (syncope), congestive heart failure and hypertrophic  cardiomyopathy.

Types of pacemakers

The types of pacemakers are listed below. Your doctor will decide what type of pacemaker
you need based on your heart condition. Your doctor also determines the minimum rate (lowest
heart rate) to set your pacemaker. When your heart rate drops below the set rate, the pacemaker
generates (fires) an impulse that passes through the lead to the heart muscle. This causes the
heart muscle to contract, creating a heartbeat.

• Single chamber pacemaker:  Uses one lead in the upper or lower chamber  of the heart
• Dual chamber pacemaker:  Uses one lead in the upper chamber and one lead in the lower chamber of the heart.

Biventricular pacemaker (pictured here) Uses three leads, placed in the: 1 Right atrium 2 Right ventricle 3 Left ventricle (via the coronary sinus vein)

Why do I need a pacemaker?

If the electrical pathway is interrupted for any reason, changes in the heart rate and rhythm occur  that make a pacemaker necessary. Pacemakers are used to treat bradyarrythmias, slow heart rhythms that may occur as a result of  disease in the heart’s conduction system (such as the SA node, AV node or His-Purkinje  Network).

Is it safe?

A pacemaker implant is generally a very safe procedure. However, as with any invasive procedure,  there are risks. Special precautions are taken to decrease your risks. Please discuss your specific  concerns about the risks and benefits of the procedure with your doctor.