Heart Valve Replacement Surgery in India: Choosing Between Mechanical and Tissue Valves
When it comes to heart valve replacement surgery in India, patients often face a critical decision:…
Pacemaker Surgery in India: Heart Rhythm Restored
The human heart pulsates about 72 beats per minute. It generates electrical impulses from the sinoatrial node to perform constant and rhythmic pulsations and effectively pump blood. When this node stops creating electrical impulses, an artificial and electrically charged medical device is implanted in the chest wall to mimic the function of the SA node.
This electrical device is called a pacemaker. Its primary role is to maintain the heartbeat rhythm and avoid arrhythmias.
Cross Border Care, the best medical consultants in India, will help you get the finest pacemaker surgery in India. Keep reading to learn how!!!
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small implantable medical device that helps regulate heart rhythm. Its major function is to ensure that the heart neither beats too fast nor too slow. The pacemaker is placed under the skin below the collar bone and then connected to the heart chambers by lead wires running through a blood vessel. This pacemaker surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
It consists of the following parts:
A Pulse Generator is a small metal container containing a battery and electrical circuitry that regulates the amount of electrical impulses sent to your heart.
Leads: These are flexible insulated wires placed in the chambers of your heart and deliver electrical impulses to adjust your heart rate. New pacemakers do not have leads. They are called leadless pacemakers.
What is pacemaker surgery in India?
During pacemaker implantation in India, the surgeons will place a pacemaker under the skin below the collarbone. It is connected with lead wires to the heart chambers. With the best cardiac team and state-of-the-art equipment, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute is India’s most reliable hospital for pacemaker surgery.
Why do you need a pacemaker?
A pacemaker controls the heartbeat. It makes the heart function normally so that it can keep beating regularly. The heart’s electrical system controls the heartbeat, and electrical signals tell the heart when to beat.
Changes in the heart conduction system may happen if the heart muscles are damaged. Problems with the heart rhythm may cause difficulties because the heart cannot pump enough blood to our body.
● If the heart rate is slow, the blood is pumped very slowly.
● If the heart rate is too fast or irregular, the heart chambers cannot fill enough blood to pump it out with each beat.
When the body does not get enough blood, symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, fainting, and chest pain may occur.
You will need an operation for Pacemaker implantation in Delhi if you have the following:
- Bradycardia ( Heart beats too slow)
- Tachycardia ( fast heartbeat)
- Tachy Brady syndrome ( alternating fast and slow heartbeats)
- Heart Block
- Cardiac arrest
Pacemaker Surgery in Delhi: Understanding the Types of Pacemaker
Cross Border Care will look at your medical reports, and after consulting the best pacemaker implantation doctors in India, we will suggest the best pacemaker for your condition. Different types of pacemakers are:
Single-chamber pacemaker: This device involves only one lead wire connecting the pulse generator to one heart chamber. It is mostly performed for patients who require pacing support for the right ventricle only.
Dual Chamber Pacemaker: In this type of pacemaker surgery in India, two lead wires connect the Pulse Generator to the right atrium and ventricle, which helps coordinate the contraction of both chambers.
Biventricular Pacemaker: This is recommended for people with heart failure whose electrical system demands repair. A biventricular pacemaker paces both ventricles simultaneously, increasing the blood pumped by the heart. This type of treatment is also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy.
What is the difference between a pacemaker and an ICD?
A pacemaker generally sends electrical impulses to control the rhythm of your heart, but it cannot provide the shock to your heart to cure an arrhythmia.
Most new implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can do the same job as a pacemaker and detect dangerous heart rhythms. Once these are detected, the ICD will deliver a shock to restore your heart to its normal rhythm.
How does a pacemaker work?
A pacemaker continuously monitors your heart’s electrical activity. When it detects that the heart is beating abnormally, it sends electrical impulses via leads to stimulate the heart muscles, ensuring that the heart beats normally.
Preparing for Pacemaker Insertion Surgery
Several tests are done to determine whether pacemaker implantation in India suits you.
These tests include:
● ECG
● Holter Monitor
● Echocardiogram
● Stress or Exercise Tests
What will happen before the procedure?
● We will give you a consent form asking the hospital authorities to perform the pacemaker surgery.
● Please ensure you tell the doctors and us if you are allergic to any medication.
● You will have to go fast before the procedure.
● If you are pregnant, please notify us and the doctor too.
● Please inform us if you are on any blood thinner medications.
● Please notify us if you have a heart valve disease, bleeding disorder, or other disease for which you are taking antibiotics.
Pacemaker Implantation in India: What are the approaches?
Pacemaker surgery in Fortis Escorts Research Institute, the pacemaker is implanted in two ways:
Endocardial Approach
● It is the most common technique used and is performed in a pacemaker lab.
● Local anesthesia is given, and after that, the surgeon will make an incision in the chest area where the pacemaker and the leads are inserted.
● The lead is inserted through an incision to the vein and the heart using a fluoroscopy machine.
● The lead tip will be attached to the heart muscles, and the other end of the lead will be placed in the pocket created in the skin in the upper part of the chest.
Epicardial Approach
● The surgeon creates a small incision in your chest, inserts leads through that incision, and attaches them to your heart.
● The surgeon will connect the leads to the pacemaker.
● The pacemaker is inserted into a pocket under the skin of your abdomen.
Difference between the two approaches
| Aspect | Endocardial Approach | Epicardial Approach |
| Definition | Involves placing the pacemaker leads inside the heart chambers | Involves placing the pacemaker leads on the outer surface of the heart |
| Surgical Technique | leads are inserted through a vein (typically the subclavian vein) and positioned in the heart’s chambers | Leads are placed directly on the heart’s surface through a small incision in the chest |
| Common Usage | Most commonly used for adults requiring pacemaker implantation | Often used for pediatric patients or those who require cardiac surgery for other reasons |
| Recovery Time | Shorter recovery time, usually a few days | Longer recovery time, typically a week or more |
| Longevity and Durability | Generally good, with fewer complications over time | Can have higher rates of complications such as lead dislodgement and fibrosis |
Post Surgery Precautions
● You will have to stay in the hospital for a few days after the pacemaker surgery in India.
● Doctors program pacemakers to fit individuals’ needs. It is important to stay in touch with us and the doctor to ensure the pacemaker functions properly.
● Vigorous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for a month.
Recovery Time: Recovery after pacemaker implantation in Delhi takes one to two weeks, and the recovery speed will depend on the patient’s immunity.
What are the advantages of pacemakers?
Pacemakers are meant to improve your quality of life and prevent the distress caused by heart-related problems. The benefits of pacemaker surgery in Delhi are:
● Improvement in symptoms like heart rhythm problems, chest pain, confusion, palpitations, nausea, and confusion.
● Preventing symptoms like fainting caused by arrhythmias
● Prevent your heart from stopping
Possible Complications
Pacemakers have very few complications. The possible complications are:
● Allergic reactions
● Blood clots
● A malfunction of a pacemaker or its leads
How long does a pacemaker battery last?
It will depend on the specific model of the pacemaker. Recent pacemakers can last up to 10 to 15 years. You must be in constant touch with us and the doctor to check your pacemaker’s battery level.
What is your life expectancy after pacemaker surgery?
It will depend on your age, overall health, and any co-morbidity you are dealing with. Patients with less severe health concerns are expected to live longer after the pacemaker implantation in India.
Precautions to take care of after pacemaker implantation in Delhi
Cross Border Care suggests the following precautions:
● Always carry your ID card that states that you have a pacemaker.
● Let screeners know you have a pacemaker before going through airport security detectors.
● It would help if you avoid areas with large magnetic fields like junkyards.
● If you get any other surgery in the future, inform your doctor that you have had a pacemaker surgery before.
● Take care when you get involved in any physical activity. Your pacemaker should not face any trauma.
● Always consult your doctor if you have any issues with the battery or any other equipment comprising the pacemaker.
Best Pacemaker Implantation Hospitals in India
Cross Border Care is the best medical consultant in India. When you contact us, we will help you with:
○ Arranging visa
○ Finding the best hospital
○ Surgical package negotiation on your behalf
○ Finding the best doctors
○ Medicines at reasonable rates
○ Affordable options to stay in India
○ Over saving of 15% treatment cost through us
To know more about our services, please write to us at info@crossborderscare.com
We will help you to find the best Pacemaker Implantation Surgery Doctors in India.
