Like a pacemaker, the battery is placed under the skin and a lead a cable is fixed in the heart with a small screw. When the defibrillator senses an arrhythmia, a controlled electric shock is triggered between the battery and the probe, which terminates the cardiac arrhythmia.
Meanwhile, there are also devices which do not require a lead in the heart. These subcutaneous defibrillators S-ICD have the great advantage that there is no foreign body the lead in the bloodstream. Salzberg was able learn this method directly from the pioneer of the method in Amsterdam and then brought the method to Switzerland. These devices can be removed again without any problems. Bradycardia, Slow Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation and more Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder.
In order for the heart to do its work pumping blood throughout the body , it needs a sort of spark plug or electrical impulse to generate a heartbeat.
Normally this electrical impulse begins in the upper right chamber of the heart in the right atrium in a place called the sino-atrial SA node. The SA node is the natural pacemaker of the heart. The SA node gives off electrical impulses to generate a heartbeat in the range of 60 to times per minute. If you are exercising, doing strenuous work or you are under a lot of stress, your heart rate may be faster.
When you rest or sleep your heart rate will slow down. If you take certain medications, your heart rate may be slower. All of this is appropriate. It spreads throughout both the right and left atria causing them to contract evenly. When the impulse spreads over the right atrium it reaches the atrio-ventricular AV node. This is a very important structure in the heart because it is the only electrical connection between the top chambers and the bottom chambers.
It is therefore the only way in which an electrical impulse can reach the pumping chambers the ventricles. The impulse spreads through the AV node and down into the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart. This causes them to contract and pump blood to the lungs and body. Click to open image! In some hearts, an abnormal heart rhythm develops when an electrical impulse either starts from a different location, other than the SA node, or follows a route or pathway that is not normally present.
This is what happens in atrial fibrillation. Multiple electrical short circuits develop in the upper heart chambers as shown in the diagram below. Atrial Fibrillation is due to multiple short circuits in the upper chambers of your heart termed the left and right atria. These rapid short circuits have several consequences:.
Atrial fibrillation can be treated with medication. In some people these medicines can be very effective. In others however, the medications are ineffective and may produce side effects. If you elect to take medication, your doctor will discuss the different options and the possible side effects of these medications. DC Shock. You receive a short general anaesthetic and the shock reverts the rhythm to normal in the majority of cases. In addition, most patients will also require medication to try to prevent the fibrillation coming back.
Blood Thinning medication. Because of the risk that atrial fibrillation may cause blood clots in the heart most patients with this heart rhythm disturbance will require blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots forming. At your doctors discretion this may either be with aspirin or warfarin. This type of pacemaker you will have forever. This is used in emergency situations when your heart is beating too slowly. To speed up your heart rate your caregiver will apply small sticky patches to your chest and leads are attached to the patches.
The end of the leads has a pacemaker with dials on it. These allow your caregiver to immediately adjust the settings of the pacemaker. The leads are guided into your heart through an incision in your neck or chest. The metal detector will not harm the pacemaker, but the patient may set off the alarm. Patients are instructed that they cannot have an MRI done because of the possible magnetic interference.
Some pacemakers may need to be adjusted if a patient's medical condition or lifestyle changes. The doctor will instruct patients about the schedule of follow-up visits to keep based on condition and type of device. In addition, patients may participate in telephonic assessment of your device on a periodic basis. Leads are the actual wires that carry the electrical charges to areas of the heart.
If the original leads are functioning properly, in most cases, they can be left in place and reattached to the new pacemaker. Replacing a pacemaker may be done on an outpatient basis or may include an overnight stay in the hospital. Patients should always carry an ID card that states they are wearing a pacemaker. In addition, patients should wear a medical identification bracelet that states they have a pacemaker. Patients will receive a pacemaker identification ID card while in the hospital, or in the mail after returning home.
Carry this ID at all times. Patients will be given a temporary card upon discharge and a permanent card will be mailed to the patient from the pacemaker manufacturer in six to eight weeks. Patients are given the option of wearing a Medic Alert Emblem, and may request a form to order one.
Patients are instructed to notify us if they have a new address or telephone number so that the company that manufactured the patient's pacemaker may contact the patient if needed.
Yes, patients can travel with your pacemaker and drive a car. Patients should be sure to always have the pacemaker identification card with them wherever they go. At first, you may feel the weight of the pacemaker in your chest. However, over time, most people become accustomed to the pacemaker.
The generator is very small, about the size of two silver dollars stacked on top of each other, and weighs about an ounce or less, depending on the make and model of the device. Our highly skilled electrophysiologists provide expert care for people with all types of arrhythmias. We are at the forefront of research, studying the most advanced devices and techniques for managing heart rate and rhythm.
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Thank you for your patience. View the changes to our visitor policy » View information for Guest Services ». New to MyHealth? Manage Your Care From Anywhere. Activate Account. Create a New Account. Forgot Username or Password? Types Our Approach for Pacemakers If your heart rate is too slow, you may need a pacemaker. What is the difference between a dual chamber pacemaker and a single chamber pacemaker? Make an Appointment. Find a Clinic. Nationally recognized expertise in pacemaker programming and device management to tailor treatment to your specific needs.
Remote device monitoring by our device nurses, who can monitor your pacemaker and address any issues as soon as they arise—meaning fewer office visits.
One convenient location with our device clinic, catheterization lab, and other care areas for all your care—from evaluation to procedure to follow-up—in one place. Support services for all aspects of your care , including device management, support groups, and individual counseling for people living with a pacemaker. Thought leadership by Stanford doctors who publish articles and textbooks to train other electrophysiologists in the latest pacemaker advances.
Make An Appointment. What is a Pacemaker? Conditions Treated. Types of Pacemakers. Single-chamber pacemaker This type of pacemaker has one lead that connects the pulse generator to one chamber of your heart. Dual-chamber pacemaker With two leads, this device connects to both chambers on the right side of your heart, the right atrium and the right ventricle. Biventricular pacemaker This pacemaker, also known as a cardiac resynchronization therapy CRT device, has three leads connected to the right atrium and both ventricles.
Previous Section Next Section. What to Expect. Before During After. Before the Procedure. You won't be allowed to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the procedure. We will instruct you if you need to stop any medications before the procedure. During the Procedure. Patients will receive some sedation intravenously to help with relaxation during the procedure.
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