Pacemaker follow up

A pacemaker is a special medical device consistent of a computer, a battery and a wire. The computer and the battery are implanted under the skin of the left upper portion of the chest wall. The end of the wire, which is at its origine attached to the computer, is anchored into the muscle of the right heart chamber.

The computer monitors the own spontaneous activity of the heart all the time. Should all of a sudden the own electrical activity of the heart cease, the pacemaker would immediately detect this malfunction and intervene by firing one or several electrical impulses, activating the heart beat until own activity is restored again. In this way the pacemaker is bridging the period of loss of own electrical activity. Consequently, a pacemaker cannot hinder arrhythmias in occurring and has merely a bridging function.

Therefore, a pacemaker does not heal the cause of the cardiac arrhythmias. However, it is significantly contributing to improvement of life quality and function of the heart.

The battery of a pacemaker lasts usually 5-10 years. Afterwards, the battery and the computer as well are both replaced. A pacemaker should be followed up every 6 months.

Dr. S. Tabbara, MD

Internist and Cardiologist

Weiherweg 62

CH-4054 Basel

Phone +41 61 302 85 85

Fax +41 61 301 58 41