After pacemaker implantation, it is not advisable to move the forearm on the side where the pacemaker is implanted within six months (there is no problem with general activities), but it can be moved within a small range to prevent the formation of blood clots. Especially elderly patients.
Don’t always touch the part of the pacemaker. Nervous patients often touch the pacemaker buried in the skin on the chest, causing the pacemaker to become a turntable to rotate and dislocate the electrode leads. Causes pacemaker dysfunction (called spinner syndrome).
After pacemaker implantation, the local wound will generally be compressed with a small sandbag for 4 to 6 hours. After 24 hours, the doctor will change the dressing and observe the condition of the wound. Since the trauma of pacemaker implantation is relatively small, postoperative pain is generally not obvious, and fewer patients need to use analgesics. When sleep is affected, tranquillizers can also be used temporarily.
Generally speaking, you can get out of bed after surgery and bed rest is not required. Temporary pacemakers require the left lateral decubitus position because the lead is floating in the cardiac chamber, because the right lateral decubitus position may cause the lead to protrude due to gravity, resulting in poor sensing and/or pacing function; while a permanent pacemaker The head end of the electrode lead is fixed on the myocardium, and the body position will not have any adverse effects. Postoperative diet will also return to normal immediately after the operation. No special dietary restrictions are required, but light and easy-to-digest food should be appropriate.
Since the parameter setting of the pacemaker uses a dry reed switch, magnets should be avoided close to the pacemaker, such as radios, magnetized cups, etc. Do not put the mobile phone in the breast pocket on the side where the pacemaker is buried. When making calls, try to use the opposite hand and ear to listen. The mobile phone should be at least 15 cm away from the pacemaker.
After implanting a pacemaker, most physical therapy equipment items should also be avoided. If you must use electrosurgery or electrocoagulation, please use bipolar methods, and program the pacemaker to bipolar sensing, VOO or DOO mode, strengthen ECG monitoring, and adjust back to the original pacing method as soon as possible after surgery.
After a period of time after the pacemaker is implanted, usually when you come to the outpatient clinic for a review in about a month, the doctor will give you a card, which is equivalent to the pacemaker’s ID card. It should be kept properly, and it is best to make a copy. Back up to prevent loss. The card will register the model of the pacemaker you implanted, the warranty period of the pacemaker, the name of the hospital and doctor where the pacemaker was implanted, and other information. No matter which city you go to, as long as you carry this card, the pacemaker follow-up doctors in each hospital will know the type and main information of the pacemaker you have installed, and can understand the condition of your pacemaker through telemetry. You should carry this card with you when taking an airplane, because the pacemaker in your body will alarm when you pass through the security gate. Therefore, showing this card when passing through the security check can prevent the security personnel from approaching your pacemaker with a probe and reduce unnecessary unnecessary troubles. trouble.
The pacemaker is a highly precise instrument, with more than 5,000 components on each square centimeter of circuit. Although it has been rigorously tested before leaving the factory, it still needs to be checked regularly to see if it is functioning properly and other components. Does the way of working meet your individualized treatment needs. This is a very important job and must not be ignored.
When the pacemaker is implanted, the doctor will set the programming parameters according to your situation. Your personal situation and condition may change over time, so you need to go to the outpatient clinic for regular follow-up visits to program and adjust your pacemaker to meet your individual needs.
Follow-up content includes: physical examination, electrocardiogram, and external programmable pacemaker parameters. If necessary, dynamic electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest X-ray and other examinations are also required.
It is generally recommended to follow up once in the first month after discharge, and every 2-3 months from the second month to half a year. Follow-up visits can be performed every six months to one year after half a year to half a year before the expected end of the pacemaker's life. In the future, it will be shortened to once every 2-3 months, or even once a month. When you find that the battery is close to exhaustion, you should be hospitalized and replaced in time. If problems are found during follow-up, the follow-up interval should be shortened.