We implant single-chamber and dual-chamber pacemakers if the electrical cardiac conduction pathways can no longer generate a sufficient signal for a normal pulse after heart surgery (conventional heart valve, TAVI). This procedure is performed under local anesthesia. One or two electrodes are inserted through a vein in the arm to the right ventricle. The other end of the electrodes is connected to the battery (actual pacemaker). This is implanted under the skin below the collarbone.
In addition to intravenous implantation of pacemakers, there is also the option of anchoring the electrodes directly to the heart (technical term: “epicardial”). The anchoring of epicardial pacemaker electrodes is mandatory, for example in the case of endocarditis, in order to avoid implanting any foreign material in the bloodstream or in a heart chamber.