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Pre-op Guidelines for a Pacemaker

A pacemaker is inserted when the heart cannot perform its basic function of pumping blood to the vital organs on its own. In relation to the importance of the work it does, a pacemaker is ridiculously simple to place in the body. It is the easiest and least invasive of all cardiac surgeries. However, certain pre-operative tests must still be performed to ensure that the surgery goes well.

  1. Before the Surgery

    • Checking your heart rate is one of the first steps in preparing for a pacemaker surgery. Your doctor will check your heart rate on the day before the surgery. If it is too low for the surgery, the doctor will administer telemetry. This is essentially a system that enables the surgeons and nurses to monitor and maintain your heart rate during the surgery.

      Your doctor will explain all the other important steps you have to take before the surgery. Generally, you have to stay away from any solid or liquid intake six to 12 hours prior to the surgery. You also have to stop taking warfarin or aspirin at least a week before the surgery.

      You will be given a special antibacterial soap to scrub the area from the neck down to the chest on the day of the procedure. You also have to take off all jewelry including your wedding ring, as well as any make up and nail polish. Just before the start of the procedure, you will take an antibiotic that is inserted through intravenous fluid (i.e., in an IV). You will also be given a mild sedative to help you relax before the surgery.

    Tests

    • Since the procedure involves the heart, a few tests and sensitivity barometers are carried out well in advance of pacemaker surgery, with some tests needed as early as two weeks before the procedure. All important parameters are monitored, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, the existence of any implants in your body, the presence of diabetes, previous surgeries, the tendency to bleed, allergies, any history of sleep apnea or of high-risk behavior such as the use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco. In addition, doctors will test your sensitivity to and tolerance of anesthesia.

    Other Checks

    • Another important assessment doctors make, both weeks before and days before the test, is to see if the symptoms that resulted in the need for the implant are still there. Many disturbances that show up on tests are not always cardiac in nature. On some occasions, stress, hernia or hyperacidity could result in the same symptoms.

      The doctor will also ask for the condition of the pacemaker to be thoroughly checked before it is implanted.

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