Pacemaker Implantation

A pacemaker is a device used to supplement the electrical activity of the heart in patients whose heart is not conducting correctly, i.e their heart rate is beating too slowly, “bradycardia”. It generally does not provide benefit when the heart beats too quickly.

A Biventricular Pacemaker is a pacemaker that paces on both sides of the heart. In selected cases, resynchronising the heart in this fashion can improve cardiac function.

The pacemaker consists of two components, the generator, or battery, and the leads or wires. The generator is about the size of two stacked 50c coins and is implanted under the skin beneath your collarbone. This is connected to the leads or wires which rest inside your heart. The wire is very soft and flexible and can withstand the twisting and bending caused by body movements.