What Is DDDR Pacing? Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small device implanted in the chest to control the beating of theheart. Electrical impulses from the pacemaker stimulate myocardial contraction and prevent the heart from beating too slowly.

There are three types of pacemakers that can be implanted in the patient depending on their condition:

• Single-chamber pacemaker:Carries electrical impulses to theright ventricleof the heart
• Dual-chamber pacemaker:Carries electrical impulses to the right ventricle andatriumof the heart and controls the timings of contractions between the chambers
• Biventricular pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy):Stimulates both right and left ventricles and helps the heart beat efficiently

Pacemakers help store information about the heartbeat, which helps doctors better analyze the condition of the heart. Pacemakers can be divided into two parts:

• Wires (leads or electrodes) that are implanted in the heart and connected to a computer
• A small metal battery-operated computer implanted in soft tissues beneath the skin in the heart

If the heart is beating slowly, the pacemaker monitors the heartbeat and sends electrical energy as programmed to pace the rate. A pacemaker also helps treat symptoms such asfatigueand light-headedness.

In order to determine the pacing mode needed for the pacemaker, certain tests may need to be ordered. Surgery is then performed in the following steps:

• Before the procedure begins, an intravenous sedative is administered. Anesthesia is usually given to numb the area where the incision is going to take place; general anesthesia can be administered as well.
• The chest is cleaned with a special soap.
• Under or near the collarbone, wires are inserted into the major vein and guided to the heart.
• One end of the wire is secured at an appropriate position in the heart, and the other end is attached to a pulse generator that is implanted under the skin.
• In a single capsule, there is a pulse generator and other pacemaker parts. A catheter is inserted in the vein of the groin, and the pacemaker is moved to the proper position in the heart.

Pacemaker surgery takes a few hours to complete. After the procedure, the patient is required to stay in the hospital for a few hours to be monitored for potential complications.

Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities that can put pressure on the pacemaker. If a patient observes signs such as infections at the insertion site, swelling, orblood clots, they should seek immediate medical attention.