A pacemaker is a small internal device that helps regulate a patient's heart rate. This battery operated pacing system is implanted beneath a patient's collarbone where it sends regular electrical impulses to the heart to initiate heart muscle contractions. Patients should discuss the potential complications from pacemaker insertion with a medical professional before undergoing this surgical procedure.
Heart Muscle Rupture or Collapsed Lung
Pacemaker insertion can cause heart and lung complications in certain people. Rarely, placement of a pacemaker can cause the heart muscle to rupture, warn Aurora Health Care health professionals. Heart muscle rupture, or myocardial rupture, is life-threatening and can cause blood to accumulate within a patient's lungs. Additionally, damage to the lungs during pacemaker insertion can cause a collapsed lung, called pneumothorax, in certain patients, explains Patient UK. These heart and lung complications from pacemaker insertion can cause breathing difficulties, chest discomfort and heart rate changes. Without immediate medical care, such complications can be fatal.
Diaphragm Stimulation
The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the heart and lungs and aids in normal respiration. A pacemaker may inadvertently send electrical signals to a patient's diaphragm, causing contraction of this large muscle. Abnormal diaphragm stimulation can lead to breathing difficulties, blue skin discoloration, heart failure and death in affected patients, explain medical professionals with the American College of Chest Physicians.
Pacemaker Dysfunction
In certain cases, the inserted pacemaker may be dysfunctional, report medical experts with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Malfunction of the pacemaker can lead to continued heart problems in patients with arrhythmia. Affected patients can experience abnormal heart rate due to this pacemaker insertion complication. Replacement of the dysfunctional pacemaker requires additional surgery.
Pacemaker Syndrome
Pacemaker syndrome can occur as a complication from pacemaker insertion. Affected patients can experience poor cardiac output, resulting in abnormally low blood pressure, according to Patient UK. Pacemaker syndrome may not cause symptoms in all affected patients; however, certain patients can experience breathing difficulties, dizziness or increased fatigue due to hypotension. If symptoms of pacemaker syndrome are severe, affected patients may require subsequent surgery to adjust the pacemaker.
Infection or Bleeding
This surgical procedure can increase a patient's risk of developing an infection or excessive bleeding as complications, according to the University of Virginia Health System. Patients who develop symptoms of infection, including fever, or unusual bleeding from the site of incision should contact a medical professional immediately for further treatment and care.
References
- Aurora Health Care: Pacemaker Insertion
- Patient UK: Pacemaker Syndrome and Pacemaker Complications
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Pacemaker Insertion
- University of Virginia Health System: Pacemaker Insertion
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Acute Coronary Syndromes - Heart Attack Complications - Myocardial Rupture
