Pacemaker (cont.)
When should the battery be replaced?
Pacemaker leads and batteries are becoming more efficient so that
the battery life of the pacemaker continues to increase even as the
size of pacemakers decreases.
A modern pacemaker battery can usually last 7-10 years. When the
battery is running low, the pacemaker will send a signal that can be
detected by the doctor during a routine office or pacemaker clinic
visit. A low battery still has time to be replaced electively. The
patient should not have to worry that the battery will die
unexpectedly.
Since the battery is sealed inside the pacemaker chamber,
replacing the battery means replacing the entire chamber.
What newer features can pacemakers have?
Exciting advances in pacemaker technology will add newer features
to help heart patients including:
- The ability of pacemakers to record the natural electrical rhythm
of the heart. Some patients experience intermittent symptoms even
after implantation of a permanent pacemaker. These symptoms may be
due to episodes of irregular fast heart rhythms (such as atrial
fibrillation). The heart rhythm recording can help the doctor
determine whether abnormal heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation) are responsible for the reported
symptoms.
- Pacemakers will also be used to prevent recurrent episodes of
abnormal rapid rhythms such as occur with atrial fibrillation.
These pacemakers will be equipped with multiple leads implanted in the atrium.
These leads control the electrical activity of the atrium and prevent atrial
fibrillation.
- Pacemakers may also be used in the future in patients with
congestive heart failure. In congestive heart failure, the
damaged heart muscles of the ventricles do not pump efficiently. Different
diseases such as heart attacks, virus infections, and chronic high blood
pressure can damage these muscles. Current treatment of congestive heart
failure is with medications such as diuretics, digoxin, and ace-inhibitors.
Some studies suggest that permanently pacing the ventricle muscles using one
or multiple leads can improve overall heart pumping efficiency in patients
with congestive heart failure.
- Pacemakers are also now used with increasing
frequency in patients with severe symptoms from atrial arrhythmias after
treatment by AV node destruction (ablation).
- Pacemakers are being incorporated in implantable
defibrillator devices. These combined devices are now capable of treating both
fast and slow rhythms in the same patient.
- A pacemaker is a battery-operated device.
- A pacemaker maintains normal heart rhythm when the
heart is not beating properly.
- Pacemakers can be temporary or permanent.
- A permanent pacemaker is a small case that can be
implanted safely under the skin near the shoulders.
- A permanent pacemaker corrects the symptoms caused by
abnormally slow heart rates, and allows the patient to enjoy normal living.
- Permanent pacemakers should be checked for proper
functioning and battery levels periodically.
- Modern pacemakers are well protected from most electrical
appliances.
Last Editorial Review: 4/24/2002
- Ablation Therapy for Arrhythmias - Ablation therapy is performed both surgically and non-surgically to treat arrhythmias.
- Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
- Heart Lead Extraction - Information about lead extraction or the removal of one or more leads from inside the heart used in pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.
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