1. What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered computer that is placed under the skin on the patient's chest (usually on the left). It is connected to one or two wires that are implanted in the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart through a large vein.
2. What does a pacemaker do?
The pacemaker replaces the heart's normal pacemaker (the sinus node) when it malfunctions or bypasses obstacles created in the course of the heart's normal conduction (AV blocks). In this way, it treats symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, easy fatigue, shortness of breath, even cardiac arrest.
3. Why do I need a pacemaker?
Malfunction of the heart's wiring is common as we age, resulting in a proportion of elderly patients needing a pacemaker. Pathological conditions such as myocardial infarction, valve infection, inflammation of the heart or even medications that may be required for other diseases can lead to the need for a pacemaker implant.
4. How long do I need to stay in the hospital;
Duration of stay is 1 day. The morning after the operation, the patients return home. In special cases, the patients can return to their home the same evening. It should be emphasized that the implantation is done with local anesthesia and mild sedation (intoxication). Post-operative pain is minimal for the first 2-3 days and is treated with simple painkillers.
5. How often should I check my pacemaker?
The pacemaker must be checked initially between the 1st and 2nd month after implantation and then annually at the specialized pacemaker clinic. During the check, on the one hand, the proper functioning of the system is verified, and on the other hand, the recording of arrhythmias for the intervening period is checked, since it also works as a rhythm holter. Therefore, serious arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation can be diagnosed in time and an appropriate treatment shall be given.
6. When can I return to work?
It depends on the job requirements. In the first 30 days there should be a limitation of the upper extremity with the pacemaker fitted, so if the work is manual then we come back after a month. In all other cases, we can return safely in 7 days.
7. Can I use my microwave oven, mobile phone, laptop or other household electrical appliances safely?
Yes. New pacemakers as well as home appliances are absolutely safe and do not interact with the above.
8. Can I travel by plane?
The patient wearing a modern pacemaker can travel by all means. The question is about metal detectors in airports. You can pass safely, there will just be a special sign that metal was detected on you. That's why we supply you with a special pacemaker ID that you show whenever asked.
9. Can I have an MRI?
In order to have an MRI, the pacemaker and leads must be compatible. In our clinic we only install pacemakers compatible with magnetic tomographs up to 3Tesla. There are studies that allow MRI to be performed on patients with incompatible pacemakers if the examination is absolutely necessary for the patient, but there is no strong recommendation from the official guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology.
10. Can I get a pacemaker without electrodes?
In recent years we have been using pacemakers without electrodes, which are implanted through a catheter from the patient's leg. Its frequent use, in addition to the increased cost, does not adequately ensure the normal electrical heart function, which is required in the vast majority of patients, except for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Therefore, it is indicated in patients unable to implant a conventional pacemaker or with a previous infection of the pacing system or undergoing hemodialysis.
