Question 1

Are there contraindications with pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

Virtually no one is allergic to a pacemaker. There are really no contraindications to pacemaker implantation. Rarely, access to a blood vessel to place the lead into the heart is limited (for example, due to scarring and closure of both subclavian veins).

Question 2

Is pacemaker a contraindication of kidney transplant?

Accepted Answer

Pacemakers re not a contraindications for kidney transplants. Acquired heart disease increases the risk of a cardiac event with the stress of surgery. Therefore cardiac clearance, including stress test or heart catherization is necessary before being placed on national transplant list.

Question 3

Please inform me, is the dual chamber pacemaker is contraindication with atrial fibrilation? what the best pacemaker for af people? better icd or ppm?

Accepted Answer

Ask your doctor what kind of atrial fibrillation you have. If dealing with paroxysmal atrial fib. and your doctor recommended pacemaker then dual chamber pacemaker is better suitable for you. If dealing with persistent or chronic AF and you have indication for pacemaker then single chamber pacemaker. Also discuss the current medication regimen with your doctor as some medication can affect rhythm

Question 4

My grandfather is in his 80's and he will be having the battery on his pacemaker replaced. are their any major risks involved?

Accepted Answer

Generator exchange is not a high risk procedure. It is usually done with sedation and local anesthesia. Risks are mostly local e.g. Bleeding or infection.

Question 5

What are pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

If your heart is beating too slow, a pacemaker sends a small electric shock to the heart making it beat faster. There is a batery and some electronic circuits which tell the pacemaker when your heart beats too slow.

Question 6

What is a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

A cardiac pacemaker is a device that is implanted in the chest to permanently regulate heartbeat rhythms. The pacemaker monitors the heartbeat to make sure it is not beating too slowly, and when necessary transmits electric pulses to the heart to increase the heartbeat pace. Pacemakers are periodically replaced every several years when the battery runs out.

Question 7

Can a pacemaker expire?

Accepted Answer

Pacemakers have a battery or generator life.  The device does not 'expire' but it does come to end of life and the generator or body of the pacemaker must be replaced.

Question 8

How to test a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

You need to go to pacemaker clinic at a hospital where they will "interogate" it. You cannot do it by yourself.

Question 9

How are pacemakers placed?

Accepted Answer

Pacemakers are placed in a cardiac cath or surgical suite with the visual guidance of fluoroscopy (x-ray  visualization).  A pacing lead is placed into the heart after access to a vein in the arm, groin, neck, chest is obtained.  Specific electrical parameters of the lead are checked, then the lead attached to a pacemaker often embedded in the upper chest wall, where small incision is made.

Question 10

What are fixed pacemakers?

Accepted Answer

I assume you mean fixed rate pacemakers. We don't use them anymore. The very earliest pacemakers just fired at whatever rate you set them, once a second if you set the rate to 60. That lead to chaos if the patient's inherent heart rate was not always real slow. So they made pacemaker's which sense normal beats and only fire if the rate gets slow. They are inhibited when a heartbeat is sensed.

Are there contraindications with pacemakers