A pacemaker implantation is a cardiac procedure that involves inserting a small electronic heart rhythm device beneath the skin, often below the collarbone, to assist in controlling irregular heartbeats.
When the heart beats too slowly or irregularly, the pacemaker device installed monitors its electrical activity and delivers mild electrical impulses to restore normal beating. Considered an effective bradycardia treatment, this procedure is recommended to address various heart conduction problems, namely arrhythmias, heart blocks, sinus node dysfunction, and more.
At HCG Hospitals, our cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have specialized experience in performing pacemaker implantation surgery, with a special focus on the quality of life of our patients.
The sinoatrial (SA) node, a bundle of muscle fibers inside the heart, serves as the heart’s natural pacemaker. It helps in maintaining the normal heartbeat, which is crucial for effective blood circulation throughout the body. Problems with the SA node can lead to an irregular heartbeat.
A pacemaker is a battery-powered heart rhythm management device. Doctors implant a pacemaker under the skin below the collarbone to address an erratic heartbeat caused by various diseases and restore normal heart beating.
During the pacemaker implantation procedure, the cardiologist will create a small space beneath the skin to fit the pacemaker generator. During the procedure, the surgeon guides lead wires to the heart chambers using imaging. These lead wires are responsible for gathering the necessary measurements to determine the intrinsic activity of the heart and relaying that information back to the generator.
When the pacemaker detects an abnormally slow or irregular heart rate, it sends out low-power electrical impulses to restore the normal cardiac rhythm. This is done to restore the normal rhythm of the heartbeat. During follow-up sessions, the device can be tweaked and externally adjusted to meet the patient’s rhythm needs through programming in a clinical setting.
Depending on the conditions, medical experts may use either a single-chamber or a dual-chamber pacemaker to fulfill the goal of synchronizing the activity of the atrium and ventricles.
This cardiac rhythm control device can function constantly and adjust to varying levels of activity and resting states. Following the implantation procedure, patients are assessed to confirm that the pacemaker’s position and pacing thresholds are accurate.
Modern pacemakers are small, long-lasting, and programmable, allowing medical experts to tailor therapy to each patient’s unique cardiac rhythm.
Different tests that may be recommended before pacemaker surgery include ECG, echocardiogram, stress test, Holter monitoring, and electrophysiology studies.
These tests help in detecting rhythm abnormalities, conduction blockages, and pacing requirements. This data is used for clinical assessment, detailed evaluation, and optimization of pacemaker function.
Additionally, blood tests are used to monitor the patient’s electrolytes, renal function, infection indicators, and general health. This is done to ensure the patient’s safety and adequately prepare them for the pacemaker surgical procedure.
Before implanting a pacemaker into the skin beneath the collarbone, a chest X-ray is taken to evaluate the lung fields and cardiac silhouette. This is done to establish a baseline in imaging.
Once the reports are available, doctors carefully evaluate them and plan the pacemaker implantation surgery accordingly.
Doctors may recommend a pacemaker implantation in the following cases:
Pacemakers can benefit patients in multiple ways:
HCG Hospitals, one of the best hospitals for pacemaker implantation in India, offers comprehensive cardiac care delivered by expert cardiologists. The hospital is popular among patients for making pacemaker surgeries safe, effective, and comfortable.
The following are key reasons why patients prefer HCG Hospitals for pacemaker surgery:
Need more information on getting an artificial pacemaker to regulate heartbeat? Please speak to the care team at HCG Hospitals.
A pacemaker surgery may cost anywhere from ₹80,000 to ₹3,50,000. Some hospitals charge anywhere between ₹21,000 and ₹40,000 for the surgery with separate implant charges.
It is important to note that the pacemaker surgery costs can vary from one case to another and one hospital to another due to their dependency on multiple factors.
For detailed information on pacemaker surgery costs in India, please get in touch with HCG Hospitals or any other hospital near you.
The pacemaker cost can vary from one patient to another and will depend on multiple factors:
In most cases, a local anesthetic and sedative are used during pacemaker placement. Patients may feel pressure or minor discomfort during therapy. After surgery, it is normal to have soreness at the incision site; however, prescription medicines can occasionally alleviate this discomfort. Patients should talk to their cardiologist about their expectations before continuing with the procedure.
Pacemaker surgery typically takes one to two hours; however, this time frame might vary depending on the kind of device used and the anatomy of the target patient.
The majority of patients may resume minor activities within a few days, but it may take several weeks for them to fully heal from their injuries. At first, you could feel fatigued or uneasy. There is no predetermined recuperation time, but medical experts provide precise directions on activity limits and recommendations for follow-up care.
Pacemaker surgery is covered by health insurance in India; however, policy limits, waiting periods, and permissions apply. Hence, patients should confirm their coverage with their insurance company and the hospital’s patient billing department.
A frequent follow-up program is usually required to ensure that the pacemaker is functioning well and the battery is in good condition. Although the frequency of follow-up may decrease over time, it remains an important consideration. Patients must follow the therapy measures prescribed by their cardiologist. Medical Disclaimer: This information is intended to educate patients and caregivers. It does not replace professional medical advice. All treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified cardiologist.
(Prof.) Dr. Narendra Hiregoudar
Consultant Interventional Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
General Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery
General Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgery,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery,
HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad,HCG Hospitals, Bhavnagar,
Consultant Orthopaedic, Joint Replacement, and Arthroscopy Surgeon
Arthroscopy Surgery,
HCG Hospitals, Rajkot,
Dr. Keyur Pravinchandra Rathod
Consultant General Surgery
General Surgery,
HCG Hospitals, Bhavnagar,
Consultant Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care,
Anaesthesiology,Critical Care Medicine,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Dr. Priyank Chandraprakash Gupta
Senior Consultant Surgeon in Joint Replacement, Sports Injury, and Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine,
HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad,
General Surgery and laproscopic surgery
General Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgery,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Medical Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
Medical Gastroentrology,Endoscopy,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Vascular & Interventional Radiology
Endovascular & Interventional Radiology,
HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad,
Consultant Endovasular & Interventional Radiologist
Endovascular & Interventional Radiology,
HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli,
Consultant - General Surgery & Advance Laparoscopic Surgery
GI and Laparoscopic Surgery,
HCG Hospitals, Rajkot,