Permanent Pacemakers

A Permanent Pacemaker is a small device that is placed in the chest to help control abnormal problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat known as arrhythmias. A permanent pacemaker uses electrical pulses with leads (pacing wires) to prompt the heart to beat faster, slower, or to regulate the rhythm of the heart. The leads are wires that send impulses from the pulse generator (pacemaker) to the heart and they are placed in the right atrium, right ventricle or both. This document provides an overview of these products and current evidence regarding their use. HealthTrust has also created a patient education tool highlighting the cautionary information with regard to the use of smart phone devices and their potential impact on implantable devices.