Can you defibrillate with a pacemaker

With respect to experience, certainly experience would help the doctor better understand the risks and benefits and help to minimize the risks of implanting a device. For a doctor to implant devices safely and effectively, continuous practice doing so is needed.

The person who places more devices generally does a better, safer job than the person who replaces an occasional device. There are limits to what is necessary. In other words, if a doctor were to place 2, devices in a year, that doctor would be unlikely to be any better than the doctor who implants perhaps pacemakers in a year. However, if the doctor only implants two pacemakers in a year, chances are that doctor would not have the type of expertise that you would want to be assured that you are getting the best service.

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have specific recommendations for the number of devices a doctor needs to place to be considered competent. This also goes for specific types of devices. If a doctor is very good at implanting pacemakers and might implant several hundred pacemakers in a year, they might never implant a biventricular pacemaker or a defibrillator, so they should not be considered qualified to implant every single type of device.

We had one patient who had no chance otherwise to leave the hospital alive. There was no hope for him. We placed the biventricular device, and now he has been fine for over two years. He travels all over the country with his children and grandchildren with no problem whatsoever.

This excellent improvement can and does happen. Generally you do see a marked improvement with the biventricular devices. With the implanted defibrillators alone without the capability of bi-ventricular pacing we don't normally see a marked improvement in the quality of life because these devices act only as protection. They are not necessarily designed to improve the way the heart works. Some people actually get worse with these devices because they do not like to get a shock.

The shock may be painful, and it may limit the patient's amount and type of activity. There are some quality-of-life issues of concern for these patients. It has been my experience that an implanted defibrillator alone has a minor effect on quality of life, but it has general lifesaving benefits.

The risks associated with getting a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted is high because of the importance of the device. The device could fail, it could cause infections, there may be implant complications and the implantation process may even lead to death. After a device has been implanted and overworked, it is even possible that the shocks will no longer be effective. These, however, are side-effects that do not occur often enough to justify not getting a device that could greatly improve quality of life in the patient.

Use of Health Topics. What information should I know about pacemakers and defibrillators? Are there lifestyle limitations when pacemakers and defibrillators are implanted? How magnetic fields affect pacemakers and defibrillators At any time, electrical fields or strong magnetic fields can influence the devices. Being an athlete with a pacemaker or defibrillator If you are an athlete, there can be some limitations regarding what you are allowed to do with a device.

What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are pacemakers and defibrillators? Are pacemakers and defibrillators covered by insurance? What powers pacemakers and defibrillators? Are you under sedation during the implant procedure? It depends on the patient's condition and type of device. Pacemaker implantation A pacemaker implant can be done under local anesthesia, but most patients prefer to have sedation, so we use conscious sedation, where the patient can respond to us.

Defibrillator implantation For defibrillator implants we have to use larger amounts of conscious sedation because we need to test the device. Will a patient ever outgrow the need for a pacemaker or defibrillator? Do pacemakers and defibrillators replace heart medications? How do I know my doctor is qualified for pacemaker or defibrillator surgery? What change will I see with a pacemaker or defibrillator? Defibrillator implantation With the implanted defibrillators alone without the capability of bi-ventricular pacing we don't normally see a marked improvement in the quality of life because these devices act only as protection.

During these episodes of arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or erratically, causing blood to travel to the rest of the body at an unusual pace. Since the heart operates with its own electrical system that regulates heart rate, any electrical interference will also influence its operation.

A pacemaker is designed to emit low-energy electrical impulses to control the heart when it experiences an arrhythmia. An Example Of A Pacemaker. Back to Blog. This website uses JavaScript to apply discounts. While an ICD can help to prevent or correct dangerous heart rhythms, there are also some associated risks. Many of these are related to the implantation procedure itself and can include:. Additionally, an ICD may deliver shocks at the wrong time or at too strong an intensity.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice symptoms like:. Having an ICD can significantly improve survival over a period of years. A study evaluated 12, people on Medicare who had received an ICD to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Participants were followed for a period of 2 years. Overall, about 4 out of 5 participants survived at least 2 years.

However, researchers did note that significant medical care was required after implantation for many participants, particularly those who were older. A study followed its participants for even longer.

It assessed the long-term outcomes of 1, people with heart failure who received a placebo, the arrhythmia drug amiodarone, or an ICD. A previous follow-up at a median of about 4 years The median follow-up time for this new analysis was extended to 11 years. Researchers found that:. A pacemaker works to help keep your heart beating at a normal rate and rhythm. It does this by sending steady, low-energy electric shocks to your heart. The speed at which these shocks are sent out is calling the pacing rate.

Like an ICD, a pacemaker has sensors that track your heart rhythm and respond accordingly. For example, if a pacemaker senses that the heart is beating too slowly, it will send electric shocks at a steady rate to help return it back to normal.

There are a few different types of pacemakers. Wireless pacemakers are available as well. Pacemakers can also record and send data to your doctor. Your doctor can use this to monitor how your pacemaker is working for you.

Similar to ICDs, pacemakers may be used to treat arrhythmia. They can be used for other types of arrhythmias as well. A pacemaker can help the chambers of your heart to better beat in sync. This in turn helps your heart to pump blood more effectively.

Those with heart failure , cardiomyopathy , or awaiting heart transplant will likely receive an ICD. Newer models of ICDs may include a pacemaker function. To place a pacemaker, your doctor uses echocardiography or X-rays to help them thread the leads through your veins so they can reach the chambers of the heart. Veins in the neck, chest, or thigh may be used for this purpose. When the leads are placed, the doctor will make an incision in your chest or abdomen.

The entire placement procedure takes a few hours and can typically be done under local anesthesia. You may need to stay at the hospital for a few hours or overnight before returning home.

Similar to ICD placement, there is some potential for complications during or after pacemaker placement. Many of these occur only rarely and can include:. While some malfunctions can be fixed by reprogramming the pacemaker, sometimes part or all of the device may need to be replaced. Be sure to see your doctor if you begin to have symptoms that indicate your pacemaker may not be working as it should, such as:. Similar to an ICD, pacemaker implantation can improve the outlook.

A study followed 1, individuals with either a single-lead or a double-lead pacemaker over an average of about 4 years The researchers observed:.