Turning pacemaker off for surgery
I'm about to have a prophylactic mastectomy on July 12th. I am about to go get cardiac clearance but I'm just curious if any of u are 100% pacer dependant and have had your pacemaker turned completely off for up to 8 hours for a surgery. My breast surgeon says that is what has to be done. I'm worried that my heart Drs won't allow it.
2 Comments
Electrocautery
by Grateful Heart - 2017-06-17 10:52:16
During your surgery electrocautery will be used to control bleeding. Since the surgery will obviously involve your breast tissue, the electrocautery will be very close to your pacemaker and can cause interference. That is why it will be turned off. Don't worry, the doctors will take other precautions for you if you during the surgery.....external pacing if needed.
Your Cardio should be very knowledgeable about this. Get all of your doctors on the same page (have them talk to each other) regarding your surgery and care for your pacemaker as well. Make sure the anesthesiologist is informed about your pacemaker as well.
Speak to your Cardio and get ease of mind.
Well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Grateful Heart
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You'll be fine
by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-15 12:28:16
Sorry abouit the need for the mastectomy.
100% dependent doesn't neccessaryily mean you have no intrinsic heartbeat. When they interrogate your PM, one of the things they do is check to see at what point your natural heartbeat kicks in without the PM's help. Next time you're interrogated, ask about that.
In the meantime, in some ways there's no safer place to be than on an operating table. You are wired up to every sensor imagiinable and the surgeon is operating, the anesthetist is there with no job except to keep track second by second of your breathing, hearrt rate and blood pressure. They are ready to intervene the very instant there is a problem. And they work with patients with pacemaekers all the time.
You'll be fine.