A cardiac pacemaker is a small device that is implanted in the body to treat abnormally Slow heart rate.
What is the reason for slow heart rate?
Normally, electrical signals are generated in the natural pacemaker of the heart (SINUS NODE). They follow a certain pathway in the heart and stimulate the heart muscles to contract. Arrhythmias result from a problem in the heart’s electrical system.
A condition that produces a slow heart rate
- Advanced age
- CAD, Acute myocardial infarction, infections
- Hypothyroidism
- High blood levels of potassium
- Some medicines to treat high BP/abnormal heart rhythm
What are the components of an artificial pacemaker?
- Pacemaker leads → thin insulated wire/wires that carry electrical signals back and forth between the device and the heart. The lead can sense when the heart is beating too slowly.
- Pacemaker device/pulse generator → It is a computerized system with a battery. It
Generates signals and send it through the levels.
How is PPI done?
The procedure is usually done under Local Anaesthesia and rarely under General Anaesthesia. It is done by Interventional Cardiologist in the cath lab.
What are the types of Pacemaker
- Single chamber
- Dual chamber
- Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT)