FAQ

A pacemaker is a small, implanted heart device that continuously monitors your heart. A pacemaker is there to adjust pacing based on your needs. If it detects a slow heart rate, it sends out small, undetectable electrical signals to correct it.

A leadless pacemaker is an implantable pulse generator (IPG), an implanted medical device that restores your heart rate to a more normal rhythm by stimulating the heart with precisely timed pulses of electricity. Unlike most pacemakers that have leads that go into heart, leadless pacemakers are implanted directly into the heart and have no leads.

An ICD is designed to monitor your heart rhythm. If your heart is beating too fast or irregularly, the device will first send small painless electrical signals to correct your heart rate. If the fast heart rate continues, the defibrillator will deliver a shock to restore your heart to a normal rate.

The implantable defibrillator may also treat slow heart rhythms by sending electrical pulses to the heart to correct it. Your doctor will program the ICD to deliver the most effective treatments for your specific heart condition.

CRT is a type of treatment to help the heartbeat at a normal rhythm and is for heart failure patients whose left and right heart chambers do not beat in unison. A CRT device, or biventricular pacemaker, has three leads. One lead goes to each of the heart's ventricles. The third goes to the right atrium, in the heart's upper chambers. These leads watch for abnormal heart rhythms and send an electrical signal to correct them and make the heart chambers work together.

The primary function of an ICD is to treat hearts that are beating too fast. It does this by first delivering small pulses to the heart to disrupt the fast heart rate. If this attempt does not work, the ICD will deliver a shock to reset the heart to its normal rhythm. Meanwhile, the primary function of a CRT-D is to get the chambers of the heart to beat in synchrony. This allows the heart to effectively pump blood to the body. The added benefit of a CRT-D is that it also contains a defibrillator, which can treat the heart just like regular ICD.

During replacement procedures, an incision is made at the device location. The leads are then briefly disconnected from the heart device, and the old device is removed. After the leads are tested to confirm they are functioning properly, a new device is connected to those leads. The new device is then placed in the existing pocket and the incision is closed.

Leadless pacemakers are generally not removed when the battery runs low. Instead, when a new leadless pacemaker is needed, the device is turned off and may be left inside the heart before a new leadless or traditional pacemaker system is implanted. A doctor will determine what is best for each individual situation.

A wire surrounded by insulation that delivers energy from a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to the heart.

An arrhythmia is an electrical malfunction of the heart causing an irregular heartbeat. This is not a heart attack. It can be too fast, too slow, or erratic. Often, these are brief. If they last longer, the heart could start pumping less effectively. This can often be corrected by a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and/or medications.

Although commonly referred to as a "battery change," heart devices are laser-sealed so there is no way to replace just a battery. Surgeons will replace the whole device with a new one during changeout.

Since they are so small, leadless pacemakers are generally not removed when the battery runs low. Instead, when a new pacemaker is needed, the current device may be simply turned off before the new pacemaker is implanted. A doctor will determine what is best for individual needs.