A pacemaker is a small device that senses your heart rhythm and sends electrical signals (impulses) to your heart as needed. This helps maintain a safe heart rate (pulse).
Leadless Pacemaker
This pacemaker is smaller than a normal pacemaker and has no leads. It is about the size of a large multivitamin. The pacemaker is placed into the lower right side of your heart (right ventricle) by using a vein in your groin.
Day Before Surgery
A nurse will call you the day before surgery (or the Friday before a Monday surgery). The nurse will review your instructions, including medicine holds, and discuss arrival time. Please let your nurse know if you have a contrast dye allergy. If you do not hear from us by 4 pm, please call: (608) 263-1530.
If you feel sick or have a fever over 101.5°F the day before surgery, call the clinic.
Day of Surgery
In the pre-op area, an IV will be placed in your hand or arm and blood may be drawn for labs. Before the procedure starts, blood may be drawn for labs. If needed, a small area around the surgical sites will be shaved. Your skin will be cleaned with a special soap. You may receive antibiotics through your IV to help prevent infection.
The procedural team will determine a sedation (anesthesia) plan to make sure you are comfortable.
Sterile drapes will cover you from your neck to your feet so that only the surgical site is exposed.
The Procedure
A long, thin tube called a catheter is placed into a large vein in your groin through a small incision. This catheter contains the leadless pacemaker. It is threaded up the vein into the lower right side of your heart (right ventricle) using x-ray. Once it is in the correct position, the pacemaker is attached to the heart muscle. The pacemaker is tested to make sure it is in the correct location and working. The catheter is then removed, and the incision is closed with a suture. The whole process takes 1-3 hours.
Going Home
You may go home the same day or stay in the hospital overnight. Your device will be checked before you leave, and you may have an x-ray. We will review discharge instructions with you. If you go home the same day as your procedure, someone should stay with you overnight and you may be asked to send a remote transmission the following morning to check your device.
You cannot drive yourself home. You need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You can resume driving after 1 week.
Restrictions
Do not lift more than 10 pounds (i.e., a gallon of milk) for 7 days.
Do not strain or do any vigorous activity for 7 days.
Avoid dental work for 1 month.
Medicines
Any medicine instructions or changes will be reviewed with you prior to going home.
Incision Care
It is important that you take care of your incision to prevent an infection.
Keep the bandage in place for 24 hours.
Do not shower for 24 hours.
Keep the site clean and dry.
Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or go into a swimming pool, lake, or river until your groin site is completely healed.
You may feel a small lump (dime to quarter size) under the skin. Most of the time, this goes away within 6 weeks, however in some cases it can persist if scar tissue forms.
Please let us know if you have new or increasing pain at the sites.
Infection
Look at the site daily for signs of infection:
Redness
Swelling
Fever (101.5°F or higher)
Drainage
Tenderness
Warm to touch
Pain
You may take a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®). You may also apply an ice pack. Ibuprofen (Motrin®) or other NSAID medicines increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you are on a blood thinner. Please ask your surgical team if these medicines are safe for you to take after the procedure.
Device ID Card
You will receive a temporary ID card and will receive your permanent card in about 2 months. Carry your card with you all the time. Tell your health and dental care providers that you have a permanent cardiac device.
Electrical Hazards
You will need to avoid certain types of electrical devices. For more information, call your device company.
Avoid
Working under the hood of a running car.
Arc welding.
Cautions
Therapeutic radiation machines.
Electrocautery: Discuss with your physician if you will need electrocautery for a procedure in the operating room or the dentist’s office.
Cell phones: Keep cell phones at least 6 inches from your device. Place the phone on the ear opposite of your device or use a headset.
Theft detection devices: These are often around the entrances of stores. Walk through them as you normally would. Do not linger near these.
Airport security: Tell security staff you have a device. Show them your Medical Device ID card.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): Discuss with your doctor before having an MRI.
Safe Devices
Microwaves
Hair dryers
Electric blankets and heating pads
Computers
Radios, TVs, and stereos
Follow-up Visit
Location: ______________________
Date: ___________ Time: ___________
After your first visit, your device will be checked every 3-4 months either in clinic or with home remote checks.
When to Call
If you feel lightheaded, pass out or if your symptoms return that you had before your device.
You have any signs of infection.
Who to Call
UW Heart and Vascular Clinic
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
(608) 263-1530 or 1-800-323-8942
After hours, weekends, and holidays this number will give you the paging operator. Ask for the Cardiology Fellow on call. Give your full name and phone number with the area code. A clinician will call you back.
For questions about your device, please call a device company below:
Medtronic: 1-800-633-8766
Abbott/St. Jude: 1-800-722-3423
