The duration of hospitalisation for the laying of a pacemaker is usually short: you leave the next day or the next day of surgery. This operation, performed under local anaesthesia, lasts between 45 minutes and 2 hours and requires 24 to 48 hours post-operative monitoring at the hospital.
Here is what we will discuss in this article:
- The operation and types of pacemakers available
- The precise course of surgery
- Hospital and home recovery stages
- Precautions to be followed daily
Whether you are preparing for this intervention or accompanying a loved one, we guide you through all the steps to calmly address this procedure which has become very controlled today.
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker, or pacemaker, is a small medical device implanted under your skin to regulate your heart rate. This electronic housing measures about 10 cm3 and weighs only 25 grams. It sends electrical impulses to your heart when it beats too slowly or irregularly. The system consists of the generator housing which contains the battery and one or more fine and flexible probes inserted directly into the cavities of your heart. The battery has a lifetime of 7 to 10 years depending on your use and the model implanted.
Who does a pacemaker pose to?
A pacemaker is intended primarily for people with bradycardia, i.e. an abnormally slow heart rate, usually less than 60 beats per minute at rest with associated symptoms. Your cardiologist may recommend this procedure if you experience prolonged heart breaks, repeated discomfort, unexplained chronic fatigue or frequent dizziness. These disorders prevent your heart from maintaining a blood flow adapted to your body's needs.
What are the different types of pacemakers?
The pacemaker single room has only one probe, either in the right earpiece or in the right ventricle. The pacemaker double room has two probes that synchronize the contractions of the two cavities and more accurately reproduce the natural functioning of the heart. The pacemaker triple room has three probes and addresses patients with severe heart failure. Some recent models also incorporate an automatic defibrillator function.
How is a pacemaker implemented?
You are hospitalized the day before or the morning of surgery. You must have been fasting for at least six hours. A preventive antibiotic is given to you just before the operation. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia. You remain conscious and can contact the medical team. The surgeon makes a small incision about 5 centimetres below your collarbone, usually on the left side. The probes are introduced into a vein and then guided under radiological control to the targeted cardiac cavities. Once positioned, they are attached to the heart muscle and connected to the generator box slipped under the skin. A compressive dressing is applied for 24 hours.
How long is the surgical procedure?
On average, a pacemaker is implanted between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the complexity of your case and the type of device placed. For a single room pacemaker with a single probe, usually 45 minutes to 1 hour. This length extends for double or triple chamber models. If you only come for a battery replacement without changing the probes, the operation takes only 30 to 45 minutes. The success rate exceeds 98%.
How long does hospital stay after laying?
Your hospitalization is brief: you usually leave the hospital the next day or the next day of surgery, after 24 to 48 hours of surveillance. This short duration is explained by the little invasive nature of the procedure. We keep you under observation to check that the pacemaker works properly, monitor healing and detect any early complications. A chest x-ray is performed to control the position of the probes. Your pacemaker is programmed and tested before your release.
What happens right after the operation?
After the procedure, you join your room with a compressive dressing that stays in place 24 hours. You should keep the arm on the side of the operation at rest and avoid sudden movements during the first 48 hours. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored regularly. The next day, the dressing is replaced by a standard dressing. A control X-ray confirms the correct position of the probes. Before you leave, we will hand you your pacemaker card, a document that is essential to keep on you permanently.
How is home recovery going?
The recovery spans about 4 to 6 weeks. The first week is dedicated to healing. Threads or stitches are removed around the 10th day. During the first monthavoid wide arm movements on the operated side: no heavy loads greater than 5 kg, no repetitive movements over the shoulder. You can walk the next day, resume driving after 1 week and return to work after 2 to 4 weeks. Soft sports activities can resume after 6 weeks.
What are the possible risks and side effects?
The overall rate of complications remains low, around 5%. Early complications include: infection of the operating site (1 to 2% of cases), formation of a major haematoma, displacement of a probe or more rarely a pneumothorax. Common side effects are pain in the incision for a few days, discomfort under the skin, bruising around the area operated. These complications remain exceptional thanks to strict hygiene protocols and the experience of surgical teams.
What is the life of a pacemaker?
The life of a pacemaker is generally between 7 and 10 years. This longevity varies according to the frequency of stimulation, the type of pacemaker, the stimulation energy and the technology of the device. Your pacemaker is monitored regularly and we can plan several months in advance when replacement will be required. When the change becomes necessary, only the generator housing is replaced, the probes being usually kept. This procedure only lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
What precautions should be followed on a daily basis?
With your mobile phone - Avoid calling with your ear on the side of your pacemaker and never carry your phone in a pocket close to the box. Confronted with appliances Stay more than 2 metres from the induction plates. Modern microwaves are safe. When travelling Present your pacemaker card systematically to airport security officers. In your sports practice Focus on endurance activities such as walking, cycling or swimming. Avoid violent contact sports.
When to consult after implantation?
The first inspection consultation takes place between 1 and 3 months after implantation. Your cardiologist checks healing, controls the operation of the device and adjusts settings via an external programmer. Thereafter, checks are scheduled every 6 to 12 months. You must consult urgently If you have: fever greater than 38.5°C, severe swelling in the case, scar discharge, unusual palpitations, discomfort or persistent hiccups.
