A pacemaker, or artificial heart rhythm driver (AHRD), is a device that can monitor heart rate and increase it when necessary by generating electrical signals. If for any reason the natural heart muscle contraction rate is insufficient for full blood circulation (as in the case of bradycardia), the pacemaker sends impulses to the heart and makes it contract more frequently.
Our clinic's specialists perform minimally invasive surgeries for the implantation and replacement of AHRDs, which are favorably distinguished by price, quality, and reliability. The devices implanted by our cardiac surgeons are long-lasting, do not break, are equipped with additional functionality, and allow for an active lifestyle.
Method of Implantation and Replacement of Pacemakers
Typical implantation of an AHRD is performed under local anesthesia – the patient receives only a sedative to feel comfortable during the procedure. The pacemaker (more precisely, its main part – the generator block, which is a rectangular container containing batteries, the generator itself, and electronic chips) is implanted under the skin in the left side of the chest, in a kind of "pocket" where the patient will carry it until the power elements in the device begin to deplete and it needs to be replaced. Usually, it takes several years for the batteries in the AHRD generator block to start discharging.
One or more electrodes – flexible insulated thin wires – are connected to the generator block. The electrodes are brought to the heart through a large vein. For this, a small incision is made through which the electrode is introduced into the blood vessel using a catheter. It is guided to the heart wall. The control of this procedure is carried out using intraoperative X-ray.
The entire process of pacemaker implantation takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
After the implantation of the AHRD, a check of its operation is mandatory. The specialist, using a special device – a programmer – adjusts the AHRD and ensures that the device is functioning correctly.
Once every 1-2 years, patients with an implanted pacemaker must undergo a scheduled ECG examination. It is also necessary to periodically check the operation of the AHRD (usually every 6 months). During this procedure, the sensitivity of the device to reduced heart activity, the condition of the electrodes, and other indicators are checked.
Over time, the charge of the batteries in the pacemaker begins to deplete. Modern AHRDs do not operate continuously – they send electrical impulses to the heart only when necessary. Therefore, the battery consumption in them is significantly more economical. Depending on the individual's health condition, the discharge time of the AHRD batteries can be from five years and longer. The batteries in the device are not removed – they are replaced along with the generator block.
Replacement of the Pacemaker
When the battery charge begins to run low, the AHRD notifies the doctor during the next check. After that, the specialist plans the time for the operation, which is usually performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia, and lasts less than 1 hour.
Typically, during the replacement of the pacemaker, only the generator block is removed, and the electrodes are changed only if they are damaged or have other related problems. When replacing the control block, the surgeon makes an incision in the subcutaneous "pocket", removes the old block, replaces it with a new one, and connects it to the old electrodes.
Replacing the pacemaker block is a very routine and safe procedure. Arne Larsson, the first patient in the world with an implanted pacemaker, had the device replaced more than 25 times in total. Modern AHRDs have a much longer lifespan than those installed in Arne, so they need to be replaced much less frequently.
In rare cases (less than 1% of all implanted pacemakers), it is necessary to replace not the generator block, but the electrodes – for example, if they become infected or damaged. Removing the old electrode and replacing it with a new one, unlike replacing the generator block, is a rather complex process. The surgeon must have extensive experience to remove the electrode head from the heart wall without damaging the heart tissue. If necessary, scar tissue at the site of electrode insertion into the heart wall can be removed using a laser. At the final stage of the operation, the electrode is extracted from the vein like a catheter and replaced with a new one. The procedure for replacing electrodes is performed under general anesthesia and lasts several hours.
Implantation and replacement of pacemakers in Israel, according to patient reviews, is performed with very high quality. At Top Ihilov clinic, even for the replacement of AHRD electrodes – the most complex and time-consuming procedure – several minimally invasive techniques are used, allowing for the extraction and replacement of pacemaker elements with minimal risk of complications.
Implantation and Replacement of Pacemakers in Israel – Prices
Implantation and replacement of pacemakers in Israel are more cost-effective than similar procedures performed in clinics in European countries and the United States. Of course, in each individual case, the cost varies – it all depends on the type of AHRD, the method of its installation, and the number of electrodes. But in any case, compared to clinics in other countries with developed healthcare systems, the implantation and replacement of AHRDs in Israel costs at least 30-50% less while maintaining the same high quality of the operation and reliability of the device.
Advantages of Implantation at Top Ihilov Center
- The implantation of AHRDs at Top Ihilov Center is performed by true professionals – many of our cardiologists have defended candidate and doctoral dissertations, hold a master's degree in medical sciences, or teach at higher educational institutions in Israel. By entrusting your health to them, you can expect complete safety and high efficiency of all procedures related to the implantation or replacement of a pacemaker.
- The devices implanted in our medical center can not only change the rhythm of heart contractions but can also record electrocardiogram data and capture heart performance parameters at the moment of delivering an electrical impulse. This data helps the cardiologist in subsequent diagnostics.
- Practically complete absence of complications after implantation. In clinics in countries with underdeveloped healthcare, cases of AHRD infection and electrode damage are not uncommon, leading to the need for repeat surgery. Top Ihilov Center is renowned for the quality of its medical services and the reliability of the implanted pacemakers.
- The AHRDs implanted by our clinic's specialists have design features that protect the devices from remote hacking by malicious actors. The fact is that each pacemaker can be reprogrammed – this capability is built into the device from the start so that the doctor can adjust it remotely if necessary. However, in the age of modern technology, when the number of crimes in the field of information security is steadily rising, pacemakers can become targets for malicious actors. A person familiar with the technical features of the device can remotely influence it or read its data. To prevent such possibilities, Top Ihilov Center uses only the latest models of pacemakers that are protected from unauthorized access.
- All issues related to the organization of the operation, interaction with doctors, and solving everyday problems are handled by the clinic's provided curator-translator – an employee of the international department.
Implantation and replacement of pacemakers in Israel, as patient reviews eloquently testify, is gaining increasing popularity on an international scale.