TEMPORARY PACEMAKER – THINGS TO KNOW

A temporary pacemaker is a kind of pacemaker that is meant to be used for a short time usually 3 to 7 days. Temporary pacemaker insertion is performed only in patients who got admitted to the hospital, not on an outpatient basis or daycare basis. The pulse generator or battery of a temporary pacemaker is very big when compared to a permanent pacemaker. Hence pulse generator or battery of a temporary pacemaker is not kept inside the body, unlike a permanent pacemaker. Lead or wire is kept in the heart through a leg vein or neck vein by a cardiologist. It is connected to a pulse generator which is kept bedside to the patient.

How long does it take for temporary pacemaker to keep in?

Temporary pacemaker implantation is a short procedure when compared to implantation
of a permanent pacemaker. It takes less than 10 minutes when compared to a permanent pacemaker which can take  more than an hour.

How risky is a temporary pacemaker procedure?

Temporary pacemaker implantation is usually a safe procedure and is rarely associated with serious complications under an experienced cardiologist. Complication that can arise during the procedure are rupture of the heart, migration of the lead, damage to tricuspid valve, bleeding and death.

Is general anesthesia given for temporary pacemaker implantation?

No. it is done under local anesthesia. The procedure is done either through groin or neck. local anesthesia is given in those areas before the procedure

Where it is done and how it is done?

It can be done bedside or in the cat lab. It is done by a cardiologist or heart specialist. It is done either through a neck vein or a leg vein. Your cardiologist passes a long wire called lead into right ventricle through a vein in the groin or neck. The lead is connected externally to a battery. Your doctor paces your heart by adjusting the parameters in the pacemaker.

What are the indications for temporary pacemaker?

Pacemakers are mostly indicate for symptomatic low heart rate (bradycardia). A patient with  bradycardia can have following symptoms like

• Giddiness or dizziness
• Recurrent fainting
• Shortness of breath

There are several causes why your heart beats slowly. Some of them are:

1.  As aging process
2. Drugs
3. Electrolyte disturbances in the body
4. Myocardial infarction especially inferior wall myocardial infarction
5. Congenital heart diseases (being born with some heart problem)
6. Genetic- Few families have genetic tendency for slow heart rate.

People are kept on temporary pacemakers if they have a condition that will get better soon (hyperkalemia, inferior wall heart attack, drug overdose). They might also have a temporary pacemaker as a short-term treatment until they get a permanent pacemaker put in their body.

Feel free to contact DM HEART CARE CLINIC in Hyderabad for any doubts regarding temporary pacemaker