Pacemaker insertion in India

A pacemaker insertion refers to the implantation of one small electronic device that is normally placed in one’s chest. It is placed under the collarbone to regulate the heart’s slow electrical problems. In addition, the pacemaker ensures that the heartbeat does not drop at a drastic rate.

The function of Pacemakers

The heart has its set of the electrical system that informs the chambers of your heart when it is their time to squeeze. Due to the malfunctioning of the electrical system, the chambers of your heart may squeeze in the wrong manner. On the other hand, they may not be able to supply blood to the other parts of the body. The pacemakers make use of electrical impulses to regulate these types of malfunctions.

Why do you need pacemakers?

A pacemaker is inserted to increase your heart rate when it beats slowly. If you don’t, it causes problems that you cannot be resolved. Problems with the rhythm of your heart may lead to other difficulties as the heart will not be in a position to supply enough blood to the entire body. In case the body does not get enough blood, some symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, and fainting can also occur. A few of the problems of the heart that pacemaker insertion in Indiacan solve are as follows-

1. Chest pain or angina
2. Bradycardia or a slow heartbeat of fewer than sixty beats each minute
3. Palpitations of the heart that is unpleasant, and you may feel the pounding of your heart inside your chest
4. Unexplainable lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and nausea
5. Tachycardia is associated with extremely fast heartbeats that are more than a hundred beats each minute
6. Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia where the heart adds or skips extra beats
7. Shortness of breath while you are active
8. Urinating several times during the night
9. Swelling in the abdomen, legs, and ankles

Types of Pacemakers

• Biventricular pacemaker

It has three wires, two of these attach to the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart, and the third one gets connected to the right atrium or to the right upper chamber. This is called CRT or cardiac resynchronization.

• Single-chamber pacemaker

It takes a single wire to attach to a chamber of your heart.  

• Dual-chamber pacemaker

It takes the help of two wires to connect to the two chambers of the heart.

• Leadless pacemaker

It is a smaller pacemaker similar to the shape of a pill that is inserted using a catheter. The device gets attached to the heart or the inner wall and does not use any wires.

What happens during the procedure?

Surgery is essential for the insertion of the pacemaker into your chest. While you get ready for the surgery, the doctor will go through your medical history and conduct some blood tests. Moreover, the person also has to fast. Prior to the surgery, a healthcare provider will put an intravenous drip into the vein in the hand or the arm. This will provide the supply of other medications as well as sedatives. The doctor will clear up the site of the injection that is around the shoulder. Later, there will be an insertion of the needle into a vein just under the collarbone. The needle’s purpose is to thread the wires that regulate the pacemaker through the veins to your heart. There are three different kinds of wires according to the type of your pacemaker. With the help of fluoroscopy, the doctor will correctly navigate the needles. This refers to the continuous imaging of the X-rays that provides live pictures to the existing monitor. They will check the wires to make sure that they are functioning properly before they proceed with the surgery. After these things are done, the doctors will make a small cut in your chest and insert the battery and generator of the pacemaker that can appear like a small box. Lastly, they will seal your incision and take the help of an electrocardiogram to test the device. Once the surgery is done, the doctor may ask you to stay overnight in the hospital. This enables doctors to check whether the device is functioning properly.

What are the risks of pacemaker insertion in India?

• Irregular heart rhythm
• Malfunctioning of the pacemaker
• Clotting of blood
• Allergic reaction
• External factors leading to malfunction after surgery

What is the recovery process like?

After your pacemaker is installed, the doctor may ask you to remain in the hospital overnight, or they may discharge you on the same day. Before getting discharged, the doctor will check the placement and programming of the pacemaker to ensure they function optimally. After your surgery, for a few months, you need to avoid heavy lifting and heavy exercising. The doctor may also prescribe some over-the-counter medications for the purpose of relieving discomfort.