Pacemaker Placement

I didn't know there were options when it comes to where the dr places the pacemaker. I'm right handed and my doc indicated he was going to put it just under my collar bone close to my shoulder. Is that the typical location? Any suggestions on a different spot where it might be less noticeable? Thanks to Gloria (sugarleaf4) for letting me know I have a say!

Cheers,
Paul

3 Comments

placement

by #1grandma - 2010-09-23 11:09:31



Hi Paul,
I haven't had my PM surgery yet. This will happen October 12th and due to the fact that I am left handed it will be placed under my collar bone on the right side. I have read here where they have been placed in several different places but I wasn't really given an option.

Good luck!
#1grandma (Sally)

PM Location

by donb - 2010-09-23 11:09:40

Hi Paul, just want to comment that over the paast 18 years of PMs' that the usual placement if always left chest close and just under collar bone. If you don't have much fat under your skin there is some discomfort if you are active working with big hand tools as you usually use your left shoulder for support as you put lots of pull on like a big wrench. Now that's if you're right handed. I didn't realize how much better my new right chest implant feels for me doing (bull) work. As I've given up hunting I don't have a problem with my right chest implant. Larger shotguns or rifles would now give me grief. Also most Cardiologists really won't give a choice as it's usually left chest for right handed and right chest for left handed. I suppose the common thought is that there is more muscular strain on the PM site if it's on the same side as your predominant shoulder. My problem has always been putting pressure against the PM site like auto shoulder harness while driving. So, I'm a happy camper, don't get the constant reminder, hey, don't bump me. donb

placement

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-24 08:09:27

The most common placement is just below the collar bone, just under the skin, as the others said. For guys, your other options would be to still place it below the collar bone but go a little deeper, or put it in lower down on the chest and bury it under or between the pectorals. There are pros and cons for everything. The usual placement is the least invasive, heals the fastest, has the least chance of infection and has the easiest access to the veins. How visible and comfortable it is after you heal varies depending on your build. The more you bury it, the less you know it's there later.

Mine is posterior to the breast, not an option for you guys but I'll throw it out there for comparison because it's more extreme than putting it subpectoral. I was sore for quite a while- not awful but it lasted longer than usual- and it got a little complicated last year when I had to have a lead replaced, but I can totally forget it's there between replacements. I can carry a heavy backpack, work out with weights, seatbelts don't rub.

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.