Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated electronic device, which is inserted under the skin to help the heart beat regularly and at an appropriate rate.
A pacemaker generally has two parts -- the generator and the leads. The generator is where the battery and the information to regulate the heartbeat are stored. The leads are wires that go from the generator through a large vein to the heart, where the wires are anchored. The leads send the electrical impulses to the heart to tell it to beat.
A pacemaker can usually sense if the heartbeat is above a certain level, at which point it will automatically turn off. Likewise, the pacemaker can sense when the heartbeat slows down too much, and will automatically turn back on in order to start pacing again.
Pacemaker Insertion
In most cases, the procedure for inserting a pacemaker will take approximately one hour. A small incision is made traditionally in the left side of the chest, and a small "pocket" is created underneath the skin. After the pacemaker leads have been positioned in the heart under X-ray guidance, they are then connected to the generator.
The generator is then placed into the pocket, and the pocket is closed with sutures. Most patients are able to go home within 1 day of the pacemaker insertion procedure, if there are no other medical issues requiring further hospitalization.
Learn more about the Heart Center of Wake Forest Baptist and our procedures involving pacemaker insertion.