How long pacemaker procedure

If it's needed to treat a potentially serious condition, such as severe heart block or cardiac arrest, surgery is often performed as an emergency. If the reason for surgery isn't thought to be life threatening, you may have to wait up to 18 weeks. In most cases, surgery is carried out as soon as possible once it's been decided that you would benefit from a pacemaker. Read more about NHS waiting times. Page last reviewed: 15 October Next review due: 15 October Before having a pacemaker fitted, you'll have a preoperative assessment.

You'll be asked about your general health and heart problems, and how they affect you. Read more about preparing for surgery.

Your specialist The pacemaker implantation will be carried out by a heart specialist, known as a cardiologist, who will probably have a special interest in pacemakers. Fitting the pacemaker Transvenous implantation is the most common method of fitting a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD. Transvenous implantation During transvenous implantation, the cardiologist will make a 5 to 6cm about 2 inch cut just below your collarbone, usually on the left side of the chest, and insert the wires of the pacemaker pacing leads into a vein.

The area will soon become numb, but you may feel a pulling sensation during the operation. You'll usually need to stay in hospital overnight and have a day's rest after the procedure.

Epicardial implantation Epicardial implantation is an alternative and less widely used method of fitting a pacemaker. Recovery after epicardial implantation usually takes longer than after transvenous implantation. You will be able to feel the pacemaker, but you will soon get used to it.

At first, it may seem a bit heavy and may feel uncomfortable when you lie in certain positions. You will need to attend regular check-ups to make sure your pacemaker is working properly. Most pacemakers store information about your natural heart rhythms.

When you have follow-up appointments, doctors can retrieve this information and use it to check how well the pacemaker and your heart are working. Most ordinary household electrical equipment is safe to use and will not interfere with your pacemaker. This includes microwaves, as long as they're in good working order. Having a pacemaker implanted is usually a very safe procedure with a low risk of complications.

The biggest concern is that the pacemaker loses the ability to control the heartbeat, either because it malfunctions or the wire moves out of the correct position.

Sometimes it is possible to 're-programme' the pacemaker to fix a malfunction by using wireless signals.

However, further procedures may be required if the pacemaker moves out of position. Before having a pacemaker fitted, you are likely to have a pre-operative assessment. The team looking after you will check that you are fit for the procedure. You can also discuss the operation and ask any questions you have.

Tests, such as blood tests and X-rays , can be arranged at this stage so that there are no delays when you are called into hospital. You will be asked about your general health, your heart problems and how these affect you.

You'll also be asked about any additional medical problems and previous operations you've had, as well as any problems or reactions you or your family may have had with anaesthetics. Taking steps to improve your fitness and health - such as quitting smoking if you smoke, and eating a healthy diet - should help speed up your recovery time and reduce the risk of complications.

A heart specialist, known as a cardiologist, who will probably have a special interest in pacemakers, will carry out the procedure. If you are being treated in a large heart hospital, an electrophysiologist will most likely carry out the operation.

An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who specialises in heart rhythm disorders. The most widely used method to fit a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD is known as transvenous implantation. In transvenous implantation, the wires of the pacemaker pacing leads are inserted into your heart through a vein. This is the most common method of fitting a pacemaker and is done under local anaesthetic - it is done when you are awake but the area of your body affected is numb.

First medication is given through a needle into a vein called a venflon to relax you and make you feel drowsy. You will feel an initial burning or pricking sensation when the cardiologist injects the local anaesthetic under your skin where the pacemaker is to be inserted. You will soon feel the area of skin become numb, but you may feel a pulling sensation during the operation. The procedure usually takes 30—60 minutes.

It may take longer if you're having a biventricular pacemaker with 3 leads fitted or other heart surgery at the same time. Most people are treated as a day case, which means you will get home that day unless you have complications. In this method, the pacing lead or leads are attached to the outer surface of your heart, which is called the epicardium.

Epicardial implantation is often used in children and people who have heart surgery at the same time as the pacemaker implantation. The procedure is done under general anaesthetic , so you will be asleep during it. The surgeon attaches the tip of the lead to your heart and the other end of the lead to the pacemaker box.

This is placed in a pocket created under the skin in your abdomen below your chest. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours, but could take longer if you are having other heart surgery at the same time.

Once the leads are in place and before they are connected to the pacemaker, the cardiologist will test them to make sure they work properly and can increase your heart rate called pacing. Small amounts of energy are delivered through the leads into the heart, which cause it to contract.

When the leads are being tested, you may feel your heart rate increase or your heart beat faster. Your doctor will determine the settings of your pacemaker after deciding how much electrical energy is needed to stimulate your heartbeat.

You will be attached to a special monitor so the medical team can keep an eye on your heart rhythm. The monitor consists of a small box connected by wires to your chest with sticky electrode patches. The box displays your heart rhythm on several monitors in the nursing unit. The nurses will be able to observe your heart rate and rhythm. A chest X-ray will be done to check your lungs, as well as the position of the pacemaker and leads. You may feel some pain or discomfort during the first 48 hours and will be given pain-relieving medication.

There may also be some bruising where the pacemaker was inserted. This usually passes within a few days. Tell the staff if your symptoms are persistent or severe. Most pacemaker and ICD procedures are done as day cases, so you will get home the same day unless you have complications. You can use our online patient portal or call us at to update your record.

We will send you a new ID card. This allows your doctor to access data about your heart rate and rhythm, how your pacemaker is working, adjust settings if necessary and check its battery life. Remote technology may mean fewer trips to the doctor. A typical follow-up visit takes about 20 minutes.

Your doctor will give you guidelines about when you should call. Here are some general tips on when to call your doctor. Call if you:. What happens during pacemaker surgery?

What happens after pacemaker surgery? A pacemaker is a small device that helps maintain a healthy heart beat using electrical impulses. It consists of a battery and leads, and it sits under the skin on the left or right side of your chest. The pacemaker sends electrical signals to your heart to help it to beat at a normal rate.

Your doctor will recommend a pacemaker if your heartbeat has become too fast, too slow or irregular - a disorder known as an arrhythmia. Below, you can watch a short video from one of our specialists explaining more about a pacemaker.

Your doctor will have a more detailed discussion about risks before you agree to the surgery.