Procedure for PPI-Permanent Pacemaker Implant - Double Chamber

What is PPI-Permanent Pacemaker Implant – Doublechamber

PPI-Permanent Pacemaker Implant - Double Chamber is to implant ‘two’ pacemakers each one in both the right atrium and right ventricle.

What Is The Pacemaker Procedure?

Pacemaker implantation procedure takes about 3 hours. A thorough clinical examination is conducted before the procedure, and a complete history of chronic diseases, medicines you take and allergies is noted.

Dual chamber pacemaker is fixed by making a small incision below the collarbone. A defibrillator is fixed here and two leads (wires) are extended to your heart’s right atrium and right ventricle.

Depending on one’s health condition, they are kept under close monitoring. This is observation is usually done for at least a night and then the person is discharged.

How Does The Pacemaker Function?

The externally fixed device continuously monitors the ventricular paced rhythm.  If it senses dropped heartbeat below its tuned threshold, it instantly sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscles to trigger the heart rate.

Beware Of The Pacemaker Risks

With the advanced procedural techniques and highly proficient  surgeons, pacemaker implantation is a possibility with almost zero risks. Rare complications seen are–

• Pacemaker Syndrome: A condition when the pacemaker electronically activates the lower chamber and it is passed on to the upper chamber, whereas ideally the upper chamber should be activated first and thereafter the lower chamber.
• Pneumothorax : inadvertent puncturing of lungs
• Excessive blood loss
• The blood vessels getting mistakenly scratched
• Blood clots in the veins
• Lead getting disconnected from the heart
• Infection
• Stroke
• Heart attack

Pacemaker Side Effects

Watch over any of the following uncommon discomforts following a pacemaker implantation.

• Fainting or dizziness
• Unconsciousness
• Lightheadedness
• Palpitations or shivering
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual tiredness
• Frequent hiccups
• Twitching of chest/ abdomen muscles

Living With The Pacemaker

Living with a pacemaker requires attentiveness and most importantly one needs to avoid frequent or close association with metal detectors, mobile phones, music players, micro-wave ovens, high voltage machineries, etc.