Cardiovascular diseases are the most common throughout the world. The most dangerous are the consequences of improper treatment of hypertension. A stroke or heart attack develops that has a very high mortality rate.
In the occurrence of such formidable consequences, arrhythmia plays an important role. Improper asynchronous contraction of the heart muscle not only leads to a decrease in blood supply to vital organs, but also provokes the formation of blood clots. Patients with dangerous forms of arrhythmias are usually treated with various pharmaceuticals, but a pacemaker is a fairly effective and reliable option for stopping them. Any center of modern cardiology in Russia carries out operations for its installation.
What is a pacemaker
A pacemaker is an electronic device that is designed to monitor and correct heart function. The device itself consists of a conventional battery and several electrodes that are connected to the heart muscle. The essence of the work of a pacemaker is to detect arrhythmia and its correction due to electrical signals that reach the heart. An electromagnetic stimulus affects the heart muscle and causes a “switching” of the wrong rhythm to the correct one. Therefore, an established cardiac pacemaker will help to effectively eliminate dangerous arrhythmia. There are no contraindications to its implantation.
What are the types of pacemakers
The separation of devices is based on the number of heart chambers that the electrodes from the device are suitable for. Therefore, almost every heart surgeon will offer you a one-, two- or three-chamber pacemaker. The photo reflects the view of a single-chamber device that has only one electrode. It is usually located in the ventricle. Such models are now practically not used, due to the limited range of action of the electric charge. The two-chamber device has one electrode in the atrium and the other in the ventricle, which provides both better monitoring and correction of the heart. Such devices are used more often. There are three electrodes in a three-chamber pacemaker, and one of them can act as a defibrillator, which is especially desirable for patients with atrial or ventricular fibrillation. The cost of a pacemaker depends on the manufacturer's firm and the pricing policy of the medical institution.
When is the installation of the pacemaker
Pacemaker implantation is aimed at restoring the correct rhythm. To combat brady and tachyarrhythmias, a cardiac pacemaker is installed. The operation is used only in the presence of certain types of arrhythmias. In particular, the group of bradyarrhythmias includes bradycardia with a heart rate of less than 40 beats per minute, Morgagni-Edems-Stokes syndrome, AV block II-III degree, incomplete blockade, sinus node weakness syndrome and carotid sinus. Morgagni-Edems-Stokes syndrome is manifested by loss of consciousness, convulsions, which is associated with a complete AV blockade. As for tachyarrhythmias, indications are atrial fibrillation and rhythm disturbance that are associated with physical activity.
The Center for Modern Cardiology can offer you the establishment of a pacemaker on a temporary or permanent basis. Temporary implantation of the device is rarely used and is used to correct certain types of arrhythmias (for example, paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias).
Heart pacemaker, contraindications
The installation of a pacemaker has no contraindications. The only caveat is the validity of the installation of the device, which depends on both the life expectancy of the patient with arrhythmia and the form of cardiac arrhythmia. Before implantation of a pacemaker, the patient must undergo Holter monitoring. This is round-the-clock observation and analysis of the rhythm and pulse rate, which allows you to find out the type of arrhythmia and when it most often occurs.
How is the operation of implanting a pacemaker
The operation is considered minimally invasive, as it is made from small incisions. First, the surgeon inserts a catheter into the subclavian vein and, under the control of X-rays, sets the electrodes in the desired area of ​​the heart. After the introduction of sensors into the formed bed, a cardiac pacemaker is installed in the projection of the pectoralis major muscle . The operation ends with a few stitches on the skin.
After that, the device starts to work and generates pulses depending on the correct rhythm. To minimize the likelihood of arrhythmias, a pacemaker of the heart will help, for which there are no contraindications.
Patient's lifestyle after surgery
Life with a pacemaker imposes certain restrictions on the patient, which, although not serious, are important for the correct and long-term operation of the device.
First of all, you should remember about the methods of examining the body, the principle of which is based on the action of an electromagnetic field or current. It is recommended to use computed tomography or ultrasound for a patient who has a cardiac pacemaker. Contraindications relate to magnetic resonance imaging and external defibrillation, lithotripsy and radiation therapy. When conducting echocardiography, the doctor should be warned about the installed device, since a direct hit can cause interruptions.
Each patient is given a specific document-passport of the patient to whom a pacemaker is implanted. This document contains information about the model of the installed device, the date of implantation, and the estimated time for replacing the battery. For people who travel abroad, such documentation will be needed when passing customs control at airports.
Dosage physical exercises should be gradual, but regular. During the first month they recommend light housework, morning hygienic gymnastics, short walks in the fresh air. In the future, the regime is gradually expanding to increase load tolerance. If the patient was engaged in swimming or tennis before the operation, then approximately six months later he can gradually restore his level of occupation. In this case, it is necessary to observe the heart rate and blood pressure. If you notice interruptions, shortness of breath, dizziness, or general weakness, consult your healthcare provider.
Postoperative wound and monitoring
The most critical period is the first 7 days after surgery. it
concerns primarily the state of the postoperative wound. The first 5-7 days the patient is in the hospital to monitor the operation of the electrical stimulator. Every day, dressing and toilet wounds. Sutures are removed on the 6th - 7th day. After removing the sutures, the patient should limit the load on the upper limb from the side of placement of the implanted device for another 7 days. Such events are held in order to create a mature scar that can withstand the usual work.
Diet
For patients, such a diet is provided, as with atherosclerosis. Diet No. 10 recommends limiting animal fats to replacing them with vegetable oils (sunflower, linseed, olive), a diet that is rich in fiber and plant-based proteins. It is undesirable to use rich broths, salted meat and fish, limit flour dishes. You should also limit the intake of coffee and strong tea, as these drinks are stimulants of the nervous system and can provoke arrhythmias. For the correct selection of the diet, you should seek the help of a nutritionist or, as an alternative, completely eliminate prohibited foods.
Doctor Examinations
Provided that you have no complaints, the first examination by a doctor should be carried out in a month. A medical specialist prescribes a blood test, a coagulogram and an ECG, which are basic examinations. In the future, a doctor should be visited after 3 months and then 1 time every six months. Such visits are mandatory and allow you to better control the work of both the pacemaker and your heart muscle.