The Importance Of The Pacemaker

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Since the beginning of time, medical technologies have and continue to be used in our everyday routine. In the medical field, one advancement that has been used tremendously is the pacemaker. The first implantable pacemaker was first used in the 1960s and invented by Wilson Greatbatch (Wilson greatbatch). A pacemaker is a small device that helps your heart beat more regularly (american heart association). Although there are more than thousands of pacemaker surgeries performed each year, patients are at risk of receiving a pacemaker pocket infection (PPI). A PPI is “caused by progression infection from the pacemaker pocket” (pocket infection cause). Because there are many pacemaker surgeries performed, patients should know the risks of receiving…show more content…
Because pacemakers are so popular, they are “the most commonly used to cardiac rhythm management devices” (risks of cardiac pacemakers). Because there are not many PPIs reported, the chances of receiving one are rare. Receiving a PPI is rare because of the use of “good antisepsis techniques and use of advanced antibiotics” (Risks of cardiac pacemaker pocket infection). Although the use of good antibiotics improves the chances of getting a PPI, “injudicious antibiotic usage leads to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which may cause PPI” (Risks of cardiac pacemaker pocket infection). Like any infection, a pacemaker infection is extremely important to keep an eye out for. “Infection in a permanently implanted PM is a serious complication” (infection after pacemaker surgery). The infection can “occur either as a surgical site infection (SSI), occurring within 1 year after implantation, or as late-onset lead endocarditis” (infection after pacemaker). Endocarditis is best described as “an infection of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of your heart chambers and heart valves” (endocarditis). Because endocarditis is usually found in the heart, it is best if patients avoid it. Endocarditis “generally occurs when bacteria, fungi or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart” (endocarditis). Because the heart is…show more content…
“Postoperative conduction disorders are a major source of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery” (pacemaker dependency). Because pacemakers are not fully equipped to keep the heart beating forever, the pacemaker adapts to the heart once the surgery is performed in order to allow the human heart to beat regularly. Because of the irregular heart beats, patients often associate their heart with the need of a pacemaker. Pacemakers are temporarily life savers. They may fix the problem at the moment, but the battery dies and the heart alone desengerates as the patient gets older. Because pacemakers adapt to the heart, they will continue to regulate beating even after a patient is deceased. The pacemaker continues to send electrical pulses to the deceased heart until it’s battery depletes. A pacemaker may be the best option for families who are scared and unwilling to let their loved ones go, but they should be aware that even if the patient receives a pacemaker, they are not guaranteed another ten years of life. Now that the medical field are bringing back older methods for lifesaving cures “such as antibiotics, IV fluids, and artificial ventilation—why not remove cardiac pacing as well” (pacemaker and death). If there are other life saving cures being brought back the answer to removing cardiac pacing should be simple. The actual purpose of a pacemaker is “ in most
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