OverviewA pacemaker is a small device that's placed (implanted) in the chest to help control the heartbeat. It's used to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. Implanting a pacemaker in the chest requires a surgical procedure. Show
A pacemaker is also called a cardiac pacing device. TypesDepending on your condition, you might have one of the following types of pacemakers.
Types
Why it's doneA pacemaker is implanted to help control your heartbeat. Your doctor may recommend a temporary pacemaker when you have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia) after a heart attack, surgery or medication overdose but your heartbeat is otherwise expected to recover. A pacemaker may be implanted permanently to correct a chronic slow or irregular heartbeat or to help treat heart failure. How your heart beatsThe heart is a muscular, fist-sized pump with four chambers, two on the left side and two on the right. The upper chambers (right and left atria) and the lower chambers (right and left ventricles) work with your heart's electrical system to keep your heart beating at an appropriate rate — usually 60 to 100 beats a minute for adults at rest. Your heart's electrical system controls your heartbeat, beginning in a group of cells at the top of the heart (sinus node) and spreading to the bottom, causing it to contract and pump blood. Aging, heart muscle damage from a heart attack, some medications and certain genetic conditions can cause an irregular heart rhythm. What a pacemaker doesPacemakers work only when needed. If your heartbeat is too slow (bradycardia), the pacemaker sends electrical signals to your heart to correct the beat. Some newer pacemakers also have sensors that detect body motion or breathing rate and signal the devices to increase heart rate during exercise, as needed. A pacemaker has two parts:
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unsubscribe link in the e-mail. RisksComplications related to pacemaker surgery or having a pacemaker are uncommon, but could include:
How you prepareBefore your doctor decides if you need a pacemaker, you'll have several tests done to find the cause of your irregular heartbeat. Tests done before you get a pacemaker could include:
What you can expectBefore the procedureYou'll likely be awake during the surgery to implant the pacemaker, which typically takes a few hours. A specialist will insert an IV into your forearm or hand and give you a medication called a sedative to help you relax. Your chest is cleaned with special soap. Most pacemaker implantations are done using local anesthesia to numb the area of the incisions. However, the amount of sedation needed for the procedure depends on your specific health conditions. You may be fully awake or lightly sedated, or you may be given general anesthesia (fully asleep). During the procedureOne or more wires are inserted into a major vein under or near your collarbone and guided to your heart using X-ray images. One end of each wire is secured at the appropriate position in your heart, while the other end is attached to the pulse generator, which is usually implanted under the skin beneath your collarbone. A leadless pacemaker is smaller and typically requires a less invasive surgery to implant the device. The pulse generator and other pacemaker parts are contained in a single capsule. The doctor inserts a flexible sheath (catheter) in a vein in the groin and then guides the single component pacemaker through the catheter to the proper position in the heart. After the procedureYou'll likely stay in the hospital for a day after having a pacemaker implanted. Your pacemaker will be programmed to fit your heart rhythm needs. You'll need to arrange to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Your doctor might recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting for about a month. Avoid putting pressure on the area where the pacemaker was implanted. If you have pain in that area, ask your doctor about taking medicines available without a prescription, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Special precautionsIt's unlikely that your pacemaker would stop working properly because of electrical interference. Still, you'll need to take a few precautions:
Devices that are unlikely to interfere with your pacemaker include microwave ovens, televisions and remote controls, radios, toasters, electric blankets, electric shavers, and electric drills. ResultsHaving a pacemaker should improve symptoms caused by a slow heartbeat such as fatigue, lightheadedness and fainting. Because most of today's pacemakers automatically adjust the heart rate to match the level of physical activity, they may can allow you to resume a more active lifestyle. Your doctor should check your pacemaker every 3 to 6 months. Tell your doctor if you gain weight, if your legs or ankles get puffy, or if you faint or get dizzy. Most pacemakers can be checked by your doctor remotely, which means you don't have to go into the doctor's office. Your pacemaker sends information to your doctor, including your heart rate and rhythm, how your pacemaker is working, and how much battery life is left. Your pacemaker's battery should last 5 to 15 years. When the battery stops working, you'll need surgery to replace it. The procedure to change your pacemaker's battery is often quicker and requires less recovery time than the procedure to implant your pacemaker. Pacemakers and end-of-life issuesIf you have a pacemaker and become terminally ill with a condition unrelated to your heart, such as cancer, it's possible that your pacemaker could prolong your life. Doctors and researchers vary in their opinions about turning off a pacemaker in end-of-life situations. Talk to your doctor if you have a pacemaker and are concerned about turning it off. You may also want to talk to family members or another person designated to make medical decisions for you about what you'd like to do in end-of-life care situations. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Dec. 02, 2021 Which medication reduces activity in the sinoatrial node?Ivabradine reduces the firing rate of the pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node without affecting the duration of the action potential (20, 39), whilst acting at concentrations that have no effect on other ionic currents, making ivabradine a selective If inhibitor (40).
Which is the priority assessment to complete before the nurse administers an Antidysrhythmic medication?CHECK THE PATIENT'S BLOOD PRESSURE PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING AN ANTIDYSRHYTHMIC MEDICATION OR HEMODYNAMIC MEDICATION (like vasodilators). If systolic blood pressure is < 100 mm Hg or 30 mm Hg below baseline, then hold medication.
When teaching a patient about amiodarone the nurse should advise the patient to avoid which food or drink?Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the side effects of amiodarone by increasing the amount of this medicine in your body. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
What would the nurse include for the client teaching about amiodarone?Key teachings for your patient are to monitor pulse daily, avoid grapefruit juice and that side effects can appear up to a year after initiation of therapy. Teach your patient that the effects of amiodarone can persist for months after discontinuation, due to the drugs long half life of up to 100 days.
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