Pacemaker Implantation

A small device placed under the skin below the collarbone and connected to the heart by one or more fine leads. It watches the rhythm continuously and paces the heart only when the rate falls too low.

What the procedure involves

Local anaesthetic with sedation, taking one to two hours. The leads are guided into the heart through a vein and the device sits in a small pocket under the skin. Single-chamber, dual-chamber and biventricular devices do different things; which you need follows from your rhythm diagnosis.

Recovery and what to expect

Usually one to two nights in hospital. The arm on the implant side is kept below shoulder height for a few weeks while the leads settle. The device is checked and programmed before you fly, and you leave with an identification card — you will need it at airport security and before any future MRI.

What we arrange around it

About a week. We make sure you have the device card and the programming record in writing before departure: a cardiologist at home cannot follow up a device they have no data on.