Cardiac Pacemaker Treatment in India – Heart Surgery Types & Cost

A pacemaker insertion involves a treatment where an electrically-charged medical device, called pacemaker is implanted in your body to deal with irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias. During an arrhythmia, the heart is not able to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body. This causes several body symptoms, such as tiredness, breathing problems, or fainting. If the arrhythmias are severe, the body's vital organs can be damaged and may even cause loss of consciousness or death.

Pacemakers generally treat two types of arrhythmias:

• Tachycardia, when the heartbeat is very fast.
• Bradycardia, when the heartbeat is very slow.

Normal ageing of the heart may sometimes interrupt your heart rate, leading to slow heartbeats. Heart muscle damage resulting from a heart attack is another common cause of disruptions of your heartbeat.

Other factors also govern your heart rate. Intake of some medications also interferes with your heartbeat. Genetic conditions are also responsible for causing arrhythmia. Regardless of the underlying cause of an abnormal heart rate, a pacemaker insertion may fix it.

What is the Pacemaker Device?

Pacemakers are electronic devices that may be implanted in a person's body, most often via surgical procedures, to maintain the electrical system that is found in the heart. They can normalise irregular cardiac rhythms and avoid issues that have the potential to disturb your life or put your life in jeopardy.

The chambers of your heart are each equipped with an electrical system that informs them when it is their time to contract and squeeze the blood out of the arteries. When there is a problem with the electrical system in your heart, your heart's chambers may contract incorrectly or not be strong enough to supply your body with the necessary amount of blood. Electrical impulses are the primary tool that pacemakers use to restore normal heart rhythm.

How does a pacemaker work?

A pacemaker installation regulates the entire body’s electrical system, thereby controlling your heart rhythm. As every heartbeat is made, an electrical impulse is transmitted throughout the body, from your heart, sending signals to your heart’s muscles to contract.

A pacemaker insertion is also capable of tracking and recording your heartbeat. A record can help your doctor analyse your arrhythmia better. Pacemakers may contain one to three wires which are planted in the different chambers of your heart to carry out several functions.

• The wires planted in a single-chamber pacemaker: These wires transmit electrical pulses from the generator to the lower right chamber of your heart.
• The wires present in a dual-chamber pacemaker: These wires transmit the electrical pulses to the upper right chamber of your heart and the right ventricle.
• The wires planted in a biventricular pacemaker: These wires are responsible for transmitting pulses from the generator to an atrium and both ventricles.

Symptoms of Arrhythmia

It's possible that someone with a heart Arrhythmia won't have any symptoms or indicators. When a doctor examines you for another reason related to your health, they can detect that you have an erratic heartbeat. In general, the following are some of the indications and symptoms that may be associated with Arrhythmias:

• There was a palpitation in the chest.
• A sluggish beating of the heart (bradycardia).
• A rapid beating of the heart (tachycardia).
• Uneasy and shallow breaths
• Aching in the chest

Other possible symptoms include the following:

• Anxiety.
• A feeling of lightheadedness or vertigo.
• Fatigue.
• Syncope is sometimes known as passing out or coming dangerously close.
• Sweating.

Why do I need a pacemaker insertion?

You need a heart pacemaker surgery or a pacemaker insertion if your heart is pumping blood very fast or very slowly. Because in both cases, your body is not able to get enough blood. This condition can cause:

• Fatigue
• Fainting/lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Damage to vital organs
• Eventual death

Best Cardiac Pacemaker Installation Doctors in India

1. Dr. T S Kler

2. Dr. Ashok Seth

3. Dr. Naresh Trehan

4. Dr. Kewal Krishan

Best Treatment for Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias may be treated with a vast number of different medications. Since each person is unique, you may need to experiment with several various drugs and dosages before finding the one that is most effective for you. Several different medications are utilised, including:

• Anti-arrhythmic medicines are medications that are used to either convert an irregular heartbeat to sinus rhythm, often known as a normal heartbeat or to prevent an Arrhythmia from occurring.
• Anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment refers to using medications, such as warfarin (which thins the blood) or aspirin, to lower the risk of developing blood clots or stroke.
• Medicines used to regulate the heart rate are referred to as heart-rate control drugs.
• Medications are used to treat associated illnesses, which may be the root cause of an irregular heart rhythm.

Things You must be aware of:

• Which drugs are you now taking, and their names?
• What purpose do they serve?
• How often and when exactly should you take them?

Pacemaker Surgery

Pacemaker installation generally takes about 1 to 2 hours. Before the Pacemaker insertion surgery, you will be injected with a local anaesthetic on the site where the incision will be made. This is done in order to ensure a painless surgery. A small incision is made around the shoulder by the surgeon. A small wire is then passed through the incision leading to the major vein which is near your collarbone area. After this, the surgeon guides this wire through your vein to finally your heart. During this entire Pacemaker installation procedure, an X-ray machine is used which guides the surgeon with the wiring. Using the wire, your surgeon attaches an electrode to your heart’s right ventricle. The ventricle is the biological term for the lower chamber of the heart. The wire on the other end is attached to a pulse generator which consists of the battery and electrical circuits. The generator is generally implanted under your skin near your collarbone. In case you are getting a biventricular pacemaker installation, the second lead is attached to your heart’s right atrium. The atrium is the upper chamber of the heart.

When the surgery is completed, the surgeons stitch the incision area.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment

The treatment of Arrhythmias of the heart varies depending on whether the patient is experiencing a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or a sluggish one (bradycardia) (bradycardia). While some cardiac Arrhythmias need medical attention, others do not. It's possible that your doctor would advise you to see them frequently to check on your progress.

Most people with heart Arrhythmia don't require therapy unless the abnormal heart rhythm severely interferes with their quality of life or puts them at risk for other cardiac issues. Arrhythmias in the heart may be treated with medication, therapy (such as vagal movements), cardioversion, catheter operations, or even surgery.

Medications:

Heart Arrhythmias are treated with different medications based on the specific kind of Arrhythmia and any associated risks. Most patients diagnosed with tachycardia are given medications to slow their heart rate and return to a normal rhythm. Blood thinners are sometimes administered for people with atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack caused by blood clots. To lessen the likelihood of difficulties, taking the prescription as prescribed is crucial.

Therapies:

Vagal maneuvers and cardioversion are two treatment options for patients experiencing an irregular heartbeat due to cardiac Arrhythmias.

1. Vagal maneuvers: Supranuclear tachycardia causes a rapid heart rate. Hence this treatment may be suggested by a doctor. Because of its effect on the vagus nerves, which regulate heart rate, vagal maneuvers are commonly used to help patients feel better. Arrhythmias may be halted by various measures, including holding your breath and putting pressure on your chest, immersing your face in cold water, or coughing. Not all Arrhythmias can be treated with vagal movements.

2. Cardioversion: Medication or surgeries are both viable options for this way of resetting the heart's rhythm. If you have Arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation, your doctor may suggest this therapy.

Pacemaker Surgery Recovery

Post your Pacemaker installation surgery, your surgeon may discharge you the same day or make your stay in the hospital overnight.

Before you are discharged, your surgeon will make sure of the pacemaker's placement is done properly along with its proper programming so that your heart functions properly. At the follow-up appointments, your surgeon may reprogram the pacemaker according to the needs.

For the first few months post your Pacemaker installation surgery, you should avoid heavy exercising and heavy lifting. For discomfort, you may be prescribed over-the-counter medications. Every few months, you’ll attach your pacemaker up to a phone line. The unique gadget will be provided to you by your surgeon. This gadget will allow your surgeon to receive information from your pacemaker saving you the hospital visit.

Pacemaker Insertion Surgery Risks

Pacemaker insertion surgery is generally is a safe procedure without any complications or risks. If risks do occur, they may include:

• Swelling, bleeding, bruising, or infection.
• Blood vessel or nerve damage
• A collapsed lung
• A bad reaction to the medicine used during the procedure

Cost of Pacemaker Installation in India

Many people from Arabic countries like Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia travel to India seeking the best treatment at minimum cost. Indian cardiologists discuss everything from the diagnosis to treatment and recovery with the patients before performing any procedure. The cardiology clinics keep upgrading with new technology to provide the best treatment. The cardiology hospital in India provides Leadless pacemaker installation and Cardiac conduction system pacemakers for treating arrhythmia. The cost of pacemaker installation in India is more cost-effective than in most countries. The cost of Pacemaker Installation in India is given below.

Cardiac Pacemaker Surgery FAQs