Pacemaker Therapy

In 1958, the Swedes Elmquist and Senning inserted a fully implantable pacemaker for the first time. Pacemaker therapy has developed rapidly since then, and is now a standard treatment for arrhythmic bradycardia.

In arrhythmic bradycardia, the heart beats too slowly ("bradycardia"). The pacemaker monitors the activity of the patient’s heart and emits electrical stimuli when the heart’s rhythm is disturbed. In this way, the pacemaker ensures a regular and faster heartbeat.

Conventional pacemakers have been implanted at the Havelhöhe Community Hospital for many years, with their function monitored in individual consultation sessions. Approximately 50 pacemakers are implanted each year in the form of single- or dual-chamber devices.

What can I expect in the examination and what should I bear in mind?

Implanting a pacemaker usually takes less than an hour. In most cases, a point just below the collarbone is anaesthetised locally and a small incision is made. An electrode (an insulated wire that transfers electrical impulses between the implant and the heart muscle) is then passed through a vein into the heart, where it is anchored in the atrium. Once the electrode has been tested for proper function, it is attached to the pacemaker. The pacemaker is implanted in a small pocket below the collarbone.

The pacemaker contains a miniaturised electronic circuit and a compact battery. Many pacemakers automatically adjust the frequency of their electrical impulses to the physical demands of the body. This frequency adjustment is made possible via a sensor that measures the changing loads on the body during running, swimming or working in the garden. The pacemaker speeds up the heart rate when these loads increase.

Follow-up examinations are carried out at our regular consultations (held about every 6 months). Heart activity, pacemaker function and battery condition are all checked. The programme of the pacemaker is adapted to suit the needs of the individual patient.