All Offices: (860) 522-0604 | Wallingford: (203) 265-9831

What You Need to Know about Getting a Pacemaker/ICD

Pre procedure for Pacemaker/ICD

1-2 weeks ahead:

  • Please have blood work done within 1-2 weeks of your procedure date.

The night before:

  • Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the day prior to procedure.
  • Use the special soap, Hibiclens (chlorhexidine), with scrub brushes the night before and the morning of the procedure on your left/right chest and arm.
  • You will receive a phone call the day before procedure (Friday if procedure is on Monday) between 3pm and 6pm with arrival time and location; schedule for the day is not known before then and we are unable to provide a time before this.

The morning of the procedure:

  • Medication Management:
    • If you use insulin or any oral medications for diabetes, please do not take them the morning of the procedure.
    • Talk to your doctor about additional medications you should not take prior to the procedure.
  • Take any other medications with a sip of water the morning of the procedure.
    • Continue your present medical regimen unchanged up until this day, unless otherwise noted.

After the procedure:

  • You will need a ride home with a chaperone after the procedure which will most likely be a same-day discharge.

If you have any questions regarding your procedure, please call our office at:

(203) 265-9831 or (860) 522-0604.

Post procedure for Pacemaker/ICD

Important phone numbers:

  • Surgeon/Electrophysiologist’s office: (203) 265-9831 or (860) 522-0604
    • They are available Monday–Friday, 8am–4:30pm.
    • Our answering service is available after hours for emergencies and can contact the on-call physician for any urgent or emergent matters.

Symptoms:

  • If you have recurring symptoms similar to those before your device was implanted (dizziness, near-fainting, fatigue), or you receive a shock from your ICD, please call the office at the number listed above.

Care of Your Incision:

  • Monitor your incision daily for:
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Drainage
    • Opening of the skin at the incision line
    • Worsening pain
    • Fever higher than 101° F and/ or chills

If you experience any of the above, call your surgeon/ electrophysiologist’s office immediately.

Dressing and Care:

  • If dressing is still present, remove the gauze dressing 24 hours after surgery. There may be steri-strips or a special adhesive over the incision. Do not remove these; they should come off gradually with showering. If after 2 weeks there are still strips or glue present, you can gently remove these using baby oil.
  • If you have steri-strips, do not get them wet for 3 days after discharge. If you have the special adhesive, you may shower 24 hours after discharge.
  • Do not use alcohol, lotions, powders, or ointments on the incision.

Management of Pain:

  • It is normal to have some bruising or mild swelling around the incision/ pocket for a few weeks after surgery. If needed, you can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 6 hours for discomfort. 
  • Never take more than 3,000mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours. 
  • If your discomfort is severe or is not relieved by acetaminophen, please call your surgeon’s office immediately, as this may indicate there is a problem. 

Restrictions:

  • Do not raise your device arm above shoulder height or reach behind your back for 3 weeks. Do use your device arm normally in other ways to avoid muscle stiffness and pain in the shoulder.
  • No sudden, vigorous pulling, pushing, or chopping movement with your device arm for 6 weeks. This includes mowing the lawn, snowplowing, golfing, tennis, bowling, swimming, and all contact sports.
  • Do not lift more than 10 pounds (approximately 1 gallon of milk) with your device arm for 6 weeks after surgery. This includes children, grandchildren, and pets!
  • You may be asked not to drive for a certain period of time. This is different for everyone. Please ask your doctor when you may resume driving.
  • Avoid dental cleaning for 6 months after implant, if possible. Please notify your dentist that you have a device; sometimes antibiotics are prescribed for dental procedures.
  • Sexual activity can be resumed when you feel ready.
  • You can resume your normal activities. Walking is healthy and recommended. Increase activity as tolerated.
  • If you were given an arm sling, only use for 24 hours, then remove. You can wear it at night pinned to your nightshirt if concerned about lifting your arm over your head during sleep. 

Call Your Primary Cardiologist if You Experience Any of the Following:

  • Weight gain of more than 3 pounds in 24 hours, worsening shortness of breath, or chest pain not related to your surgical site. 

Remote Monitor/Transmitter information:

  • You should have received a remote monitor at the time of your implant. Please plug in your remote monitor immediately when you return home after your hospital stay. Instructions are available in the remote monitor box. 
  • If you have difficulty setting up the monitor, or have questions, please call the device company’s toll-free number listed on the box or monitor.

Follow-up: 

  • You will need a wound check appointment 2 weeks after your procedure. We will check your device then. We will check your device again 3 months after your procedure. Please call our office if there are any concerns.