INTRODUCTION

Pacemakers are electronic devices that stimulate the heart with electrical impulses to maintain
or restore a normal heartbeat. This topic review will discuss pacemakers, when they may be
necessary or appropriate, the types of pacemakers that are available, and the precautions
patients need to take after having a pacemaker placed.

THE HEART'S CONDUCTION SYSTEM AND "NATURAL PACEMAKER"

The heart has its own built-in electrical system, called the conduction system (figure 1). The
conduction system sends electrical signals throughout the heart that determine the timing of
the heartbeat and cause the heart to beat in a coordinated, rhythmic pattern. The conduction
system stimulates precise contractions of the heart's chambers to ensure that blood is pumped
effectively.

The electrical signals, or impulses, of the heart are generated by specialized tissue called the
sinoatrial (SA) or sinus node (figure 1). The sinus node is sometimes called the heart's
"natural pacemaker." Each time the sinus node generates a new electrical impulse; that
impulse spreads out through the heart's upper chambers, called the right atrium and the left
atrium (figure 2). This electrical impulse stimulates the atria to contract, pumping blood into
the lower chambers of the heart (the right and left ventricles).

The electrical impulse then spreads to another area of specialized tissue located between the
atria and the ventricles, the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node momentarily slows
down the spread of the electrical impulse, to allow the left and right atria to finish
contracting.

From the AV node, the impulse spreads into a system of specialized fibers called the bundle
of His and the right and left bundle branches (figure 1). These fibers distribute the electrical
impulse rapidly to all areas of the right and left ventricles, stimulating them to contract in a
coordinated way. With this contraction, blood is pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs,
and from the left ventricle throughout the body.

ARRHYTHMIAS

The heart's conduction system must function normally for the heart to beat properly and to
pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs. Problems with the flow of electrical
impulses in the heart are called arrhythmias, which is a general term meaning that there is an
abnormality in the pattern of electrical conduction or electrical rhythm.

Bradyarrhythmias — Bradyarrhythmias are heart rhythm abnormalities that cause an

abnormally slow heartbeat. Most bradyarrhythmias are due to one of two kinds of problems:
sinus bradycardia or heart block.

Sinus bradycardia occurs when the heartbeat is too slow because the heart's "natural
pacemaker" is operating too slowly. Although some people (for example, competitive
athletes) may have a slow heartbeat as a result of good health, in others sinus bradycardia is
an abnormal condition that requires treatment.
Heart block is a term for a delay or interruption in the heart's conduction system, causing the
electrical impulses to travel too slowly or to be stopped. There are several kinds of heart
block, classified according to location (where in the conduction system the block occurs) and
degree (whether the block is mild, causing delayed conduction, or severe, causing conduction
to stop).

●In first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, all electrical impulses reach the ventricles from
the atria, but are abnormally slowed as they pass through the AV node.

●In second-degree AV block, some atrial impulses fail to reach the ventricles ("dropped
beats"), resulting in a slow or an irregular heart rate.

●In third-degree AV block, the most serious form, no atrial impulses are conducted to the
ventricles. This condition is sometimes called complete heart block. For the heart to continue
to beat, a separate electrical impulse (called an escape rhythm) may be generated in the
ventricles. Without an escape rhythm, the ventricles (the chambers that pump blood
throughout the body) stop beating.

●In right bundle branch block (RBBB), impulses are not conducted by the right bundle
branch. Electrical impulses reach the right ventricle only by traveling through the heart
muscle from the left ventricle. As a result, activation of the right ventricle is delayed.

●In left bundle branch block (LBBB), impulses are not conducted by the left bundle branch.
Electrical impulses reach the left ventricle only by traveling through the heart muscle from
the right ventricle. As a result, activation of the left ventricle is delayed.

Arrhythmia symptoms — The symptoms of arrhythmias vary, depending upon the specific
arrhythmia and other factors, especially if there is underlying heart disease. While some
people may have no symptoms, others may have various symptoms and signs. Symptoms
may include:

●Fainting episodes (syncope) (see "Patient education: Syncope (fainting) (Beyond the
Basics)")

●Dizziness or lightheadedness (presyncope)

●Palpitations (a sensation of the heart pounding)

●Confusion

●Extreme fatigue

●Shortness of breath

●Impaired ability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs (heart failure)

The decision to treat an arrhythmia with a pacemaker (or any other treatment) depends in part
upon whether the person has symptoms or not as well as the severity of the symptoms.
Underlying causes — A variety of conditions can lead to the development of cardiac
arrhythmias. Some of the more common causes include:

●Coronary artery disease, where there is a malfunction or damage of the heart due to
narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying blood to heart muscle

●Damage from a heart attack and the development of scar tissue in the muscle of the heart

●Certain structural heart malformations present at birth (congenital heart defects)

●Inherited genetic abnormalities that are not necessarily associated with a structural problem
of the heart, but may result in an arrhythmia (such as the long QT syndrome)

●Abnormalities in the control and regulation of the heart rate and vascular tone by the
nervous system, leading to fainting (called neurocardiogenic syncope)

●Diseases of heart muscle tissue, called cardiomyopathies (see "Patient education: Dilated
cardiomyopathy (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
(Beyond the Basics)")

●Therapy with certain medications that may alter the heart's normal rhythm

●Normal aging of heart muscle

TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT PACEMAKERS

Artificial pacemakers are electronic devices that stimulate the heart with electrical impulses
to maintain or restore a normal rhythm in people with slow heart rhythms. There are many
situations in which an artificial pacemaker may be recommended.

Most commonly, a pacemaker is used for a slow heart rate (bradyarrhythmia) as described
above. The decision to use such a device, as well as which specific type, will depend upon
multiple factors, including:

●The exact nature and underlying cause of the arrhythmia

●Whether the condition is temporary or permanent

●The presence or absence of symptoms as described above

●The anticipated frequency of pacing

●The underlying cardiac conditions

How they work — An artificial pacemaker provides an electrical impulse (or "discharge")
that can stimulate the heart, thus restoring or maintaining a regular heartbeat. Although
various types of artificial pacemaker devices are available, they generally include the
following components:
●A thin metal box or case called a pulse generator (picture 1), which contains the power
source producing the electrical impulses of the pacemaker. In addition, the pulse generator
contains a small computer processor that can be programmed to set the rate of the pacemaker,
the pattern of pacing, the energy output, and various other parameters. The pulse generator
for most modern permanent pacemakers weighs one to two ounces. (See 'Types of
pacemakers' below.)

●Flexible insulated wires, or leads, carry electrical impulses from the generator to the heart
muscle and relay information concerning the heart's natural activities back to the pacemaker.
There may be several such wires, or leads, placed within the heart, most commonly in the
right atrium and right ventricle; one type of pacemaker is "leadless" and does not have any
wires.

●The pacing lead most commonly incorporates one or two electrical "poles." An electrical
impulse is transmitted to the heart muscle when needed, and the lead is also able to sense the
heart's intrinsic electrical activity.

Types of pacemakers — A variety of types of pacemakers and modes of pacing have been
developed to restore or sustain a regular heartbeat in different ways. All contemporary
pacemakers sense the intrinsic activity and stimulate the heart only when the intrinsic heart
rate falls below the programmed pacing rate. Essentially all contemporary pacemakers also
incorporate rate responsive capability. This depends on a "sensor" incorporated into the
pacemaker that can sense activity or respiratory rate and can alter the heart rate based on the
perceived physiologic need.

Pacemakers may also be single, dual, or triple chambered:

●Single-chamber pacemakers have one lead to carry impulses to and from either the right
atrium or right ventricle.

●A dual-chamber pacemaker characteristically has two leads, one to the right atrium and one
to the right ventricle, which can allow a heart rhythm that more naturally resembles the
normal activities of the heart and reflects intrinsic depolarization.

●Triple-chambered pacemakers typically have one lead in the right atrium, one to stimulate
the right ventricle, and one to stimulate the left ventricle. These devices are used in patients
who have weakened heart muscle (which results in heart failure). These pacemakers
"resynchronize" the ventricles and may improve the efficiency of the contraction of the heart.
They are also commonly referred to as "biventricular pacemakers."

Temporary pacemakers — Temporary pacemakers are intended for short-term use during
hospitalization. They are used because the arrhythmia is expected to be temporary and
eventually resolve, or because the person requires temporary treatment until a permanent
pacemaker can be placed.

The pulse generator of a temporary pacemaker is located outside the body, and may be taped
to the skin or attached to a belt or to the patient's bed.
Patients with temporary pacemakers are hospitalized and continuously monitored. Members
of the health care team will perform regular examinations to monitor for any possible
complications.

Permanent pacemakers — Permanent pacemakers are pacemakers that are intended for long-
term use.

Indications — Specific guidelines have been established concerning the conditions when a
permanent pacemaker is (I) definitely beneficial, useful, and effective, (II) may be indicated,
or (III) is not useful or effective and, in some cases, may be harmful. Patients should speak
with their health care provider concerning these guidelines and how they apply to their
specific case.

As a general rule, permanent pacing is recommended for certain conditions that are chronic
or recurrent and not due to a transient cause. Permanent pacing may be considered necessary
or appropriate for certain people with symptomatic bradyarrhythmia or, less commonly, to
help prevent or terminate tachyarrhythmia.

Implantation — The pacemaker is most commonly implanted into soft tissue beneath the skin
in an area below the clavicle, which is known as prepectoral implantation (figure 3); this is
located under the skin and fat tissue but above the pectoral muscle. The pacemaker leads are
typically inserted into a major vein (transvenously) and advanced until the leads are secured
within the proper region(s) of heart muscle. The other ends of the leads are attached to the
pulse generator (figure 4).

Less commonly, the pulse generator is placed under the skin of the upper abdomen.

Generally the pacemaker is implanted in a sterile laboratory or operating room by a specialist

(cardiologist, surgeon, or cardiac electrophysiologist) with experience in this procedure.
Local anesthesia and often conscious sedation are used to make the procedure as pain-free as
possible. General anesthesia is rarely required. The position of the pacemaker leads is usually
checked using X-ray imaging (called fluoroscopy). The length of the procedure depends upon
the type of device being placed.

Leadless pacemakers are generally implanted through a leg vein and placed directly in the
heart muscle without the need for a separate pulse generator.

Recovery from the procedure is rapid, but there may be some restrictions on arm movement
and activities for the first two to four weeks. Lead dislodgement is more common in the first
few weeks after implantation. The hospital stay is usually brief, and the procedure can be
performed as an outpatient. Uncommon but possible risks associated with permanent
pacemaker implantation include collapsed lung (pneumothorax), infection,
perforation/tamponade, and bleeding.

Once implanted, pacemakers can be programmed to change the baseline heart rate, the upper
heart rate at which the pacemaker will pace, and heart rate changes that should occur with
exercise.

Follow-up care — People who have a permanent pacemaker will require periodic
surveillance of the implanted device. The status of the pacemaker will be regularly checked
or "interrogated" (often done remotely using a telephone or a secure web-based system) to
provide information regarding the type of heart rhythm, the functioning of the pacemaker
leads, the frequency of utilization of the pacemaker, the battery life, and the presence of any
abnormal heart rhythms.

All contemporary devices are programmable with information and settings that can be altered
and stored. Information is obtained by transmitting data from the pulse generator to a
programmer, usually done during a follow-up office visit. However, with newer pulse
generators it may be possible to obtain information about the pacemaker's performance by
downloading data from the patient's device to the internet and then to the caregiver's office.
In older devices, pacemaker status can be checked routinely via the telephone using a trans-
telephonic device.

The pulse generators are usually powered by lithium batteries that function for an average of
five to eight years before they need to be replaced. When the batteries start to wear out, they
do so in a very slow and predictable fashion, allowing sufficient time to be detected and
pulse-generator replacement planned. Replacing the pulse generator usually requires a simple
procedure in which a skin incision is made over the old incision, the old generator is
removed, and a new generator is implanted and joined with the existing leads, assuming the
existing leads are functioning normally.

The pacemaker leads are usually used indefinitely, unless a specific problem occurs (eg, the
lead loses contact with the heart, the lead breaks, or the lead is not functioning properly). In
such circumstances, the lead may require replacement. Often, the old lead is left in place but
disconnected from the pulse generator and capped, and a new lead is inserted. Removal of an
old lead is feasible but difficult in most cases, because of the formation of scar tissue binding
the lead to the blood vessels and heart muscle. Lead removal is usually necessary if the
system becomes infected.

AVOIDING ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE

Although contemporary pacemakers are less susceptible to interference than older models,
electromagnetic energy can interfere in some cases. Thus, experts advise that people with
pacemakers be aware of the following:

Household appliances — Pacemaker manufacturers do not recommend any special

precautions when using normally functioning common household appliances such as
microwave ovens, televisions, radios, toasters, and electric blankets.

Cellular phones — People with a pacemaker or a defibrillator should know that items with
strong magnetic fields (eg, cellular phones with magnets for wireless charging [iPhone 12],
magnetic accessories such as certain “smart watches”) can affect the function of the device if
they are very close (less than six inches) to their device. Cell phones without strong magnets
are unlikely to cause problems with pacemakers or defibrillators.

If you have a pacemaker or a defibrillator, the safest strategy is to use your cell phone at the
ear on the side opposite the cardiac device. When you are carrying your phone, keep it in a
pocket or bag below your waist. If you’re not sure whether your phone or watch is likely to
cause problems with your cardiac device, check with the manufacturer or your doctor.
Anti-theft systems — Electromagnetic anti-theft security systems are often found in or near
the workplace, at airports, in stores, at courthouses, or in other high-security areas. Although
interference with a pacemaker is possible, it is unlikely that any clinically significant
interference would occur with the transient exposure associated with walking through such a
field. Based upon several studies and observations, experts advise that patients with
pacemakers should:

●Be aware of the location of anti-theft systems and move through them at a normal pace

●Avoid leaning on or standing close to an anti-theft system

Metal detectors at airports — Similar to antitheft systems, metal detectors at airports can
potentially interfere with pacemakers, although this is unlikely. Such exposure has been
shown to cause interference in some cases and may be related to the duration of exposure
and/or distance between the security system and the pacemaker. Metal detectors will likely be
triggered by the presence of a pacemaker and therefore at places such as airports, it will be
important for individuals with pacemakers to carry an identification card for their pacemaker,
and airport personnel will likely prefer to do a manual search.

External electrical equipment — External electrical fields do not seem to cause a problem for
most people with a pacemaker. However, in workplaces that contain welding equipment or
strong motor-generator systems, because interference can inhibit pacing, it is recommended
that a person with an implanted cardiac device remain at least two feet from external
electrical equipment, verify that the equipment is properly grounded, and leave the immediate
locale if lightheadedness or other symptoms develop.

Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures — Certain types of surgery and procedures may

interfere with pacemakers. Most importantly, the use of electrocautery can inhibit pacemaker
function. It is not uncommon therefore that a pulse generator may require specific
reprogramming before the procedure and programming back to its baseline condition after the
procedure. In some instances, a magnet is all that is required on the device to make sure that
there is no problem with the device during the procedure. Such procedures include:

●Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a strong magnetic field that is pulsed on
and off at a rapid rate. In the past, this procedure was a relative contraindication for patients
with a pacemaker. However, with the introduction of specialized pacemakers that are "MRI
safe," MRI scans can be performed. Even patients with a standard pacemaker (ie, not
designated "MRI safe") can often undergo MRI scans with careful monitoring and other
appropriate precautions.

●Transcutaneous electrical nerve/muscle stimulators (TENS), a method of pain control.

●Diathermy, which heats body tissues with high-frequency electromagnetic radiation or

microwaves.

●Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the use of sound waves to break up gallstones and
kidney stones.

●Therapeutic radiation for cancer or tumors, which can cause permanent pacemaker damage.
●Any surgery in which electrocautery is being used. The risks are greatest when the
electrocautery is being performed close to the pulse generator.