Judith Angelica Lappay
Maria Lourdes Luzuriaga
Marineth Kaye Paguirigan
Mr. Eladio Martin Gumabay, RN, MSN
An artificial cardiac pacemaker is an electronic device that delivers direct stimulation to
theheart, causing electrical depolarization and cardiac contraction.
The pacemaker initiates and maintains the heart rate when the natural pacemakers of the
heart are unable to do so.
1. Symptomatic bradyarrhythmias
a. Sinoatrial bradyarrhythmias
b. Sinoatrial arrest
c. Sick sinus syndrome
2. Heart block
a. Second degree heart block
b. Complete heart block
a. Following acute MI; arrhythmias and conduction defects
b. Before or following cardiac surgery
c. During coronary arteriography
d. Before permanent pacing
ARTIFICIAL PACEMAKER THERAPY
1. A synchronous or demand pacemaker senses the client’s rhythm and paces only if the
client’s intrinsic rate falls below the set pacemaker rate.
2. Asynchronous or fixed rate paces at a preset rate regardless of the client’s intrinsic
3. Overdrive pacing suppresses the underlying rhythm in tachydysrhythmias so that the sinus
node will regain control of the heart.
1. When a pacing stimulus is delivered to the heart, a spike (straight vertical line) is seen on
the monitor or electrocardiogram strip.
2. The spike should be followed by a P wave indicating atrial depolarization, or a QRS
complex indicating ventricular depolarization; this pattern is referred to as “capture”
indicating that the pacemaker successfully depolarized, or captured, the chamber.
3. If the electrode is in the ventricle, the spike is in front of the QRS complex; if the electrode
is in the atrium, the spike is before the P wave.
4. If the electrode is in the atrium and the ventricle, the spike is before the P wave and the
1. Noninvasive temporary pacing
a. Noninvasive temporary pacing is used as an emergency measure or when a client is
being transported and the risk of bradydysrhythmia exists.
b. A large electrode patch is placed on the chest and back.
c. Wash the skin with soap and water before applying electrodes.
d. Do not shave the hair or apply alcohol or tincture to the skin.
e. Place the posterior electrode between the spine and left scapula behind the heart,
avoiding placement over bone.
f. Place the anterior electrode between V2 and V5 positions over the heart.
g. Do not place the anterior electrode over female breast tissue; rather, displace breast
tissue and place under the breast.
h. Do not take the pulse or BP on the left side; the results will not be accurate because
of the muscle twitching and electrical current.
i. Ensure that electrodes are in good contact with the skin.
2. Transvenous invasive temporary pacing
a. Pacing lead wire is placed through antecubital, femoral, jugular, or subclavian vein
into the right atrium for atrial pacing or through the right ventricle and is positioned in
contact with the endocardium.
b. Monitor cardiac rhythm continuously.
c. Monitor vital signs.
d. Monitor pacemaker insertion site.
e. Restrict client movement to prevent lead wire displacement.
3. Epicardial invasive temporary pacing: applied by using a transthoracic approach; the
lead wires are threaded loosely on the epicardial surface of the heart after cardiac
4. Reducing the risk of microshock
a. Use only inspected and approved equipment.
b. Insulate the exposed portion of wires with plastic or rubber material (fingers of rubber
gloves) when wires are not attached to the pulse generator, and cover with
c. Ground all electrical equipment using a three-pronged plug.
d. Wear gloves when handling exposed wires.
e. Keep dressing dry.
1. Pulse generator is internal and surgically implanted in a subcutaneous pocket under the
clavicle or abdominal wall.
2. The leads are passed transvenously via the cephalic or subclaavian vein to the
endocardium on the right side of the heart.
3. Permanent pacemakers may be single chambered in which the lead wire is placed in
the chamber to be paced, or may be dual chambered, with lead wires placed in the
atrium and right ventricle.
4. A permanent pacemaker is programmed when inserted and can be reprogrammed if
necessary by noninvasive transmission from an external programmer to the implanted
5. Pacemakers are powered by a lithium battery that has an average life span of 10 years,
are nuclear powered with a life span of 20 years or longer, or are designed to be
6. Pacemaker function can be checked in the physician’s office or clinic by a pacemaker
interrogater/programmer or from home using telephone transmitter devices.
7. The client may be provided with a device that is placed over the pacemaker battery
generator with an attachment to the telephone; the heart rate then can be transmitted
to the clinic.
COMPLICATIONS OF PACEMAKER USE
a. Local infection
b. Bleeding and hematoma
d. Ventricular ectopy and tachycardia
e. Movement or dislocation of the lead placed transvenously (perforation of myocardium)
f. Phrenic nerve, diaphragmatic or skeletal muscle stimulation
g. Cardiac tamponade from bleeding
h. Dislodgment of the pacing electrode
i. Improper pacemaker functioning
c. Increased in temperature and change in wound appearance should be reported to the
Promoting effective coping
a. Nurse must recognize the patients emotional state and assist patient to explore his/her
b. Help patient identify perceived changes, those emotional response to the change, and
how the patient responded to that emotion.
c. Reassure patient that the responses are normal, then assist the patient to identify realistic
goals and to develop a plan to attain those goals.
d. Teach patient easy-to-use stress reduction techniques to facilitate coping.
e. Educate to assist patient cope with changes that occur with pacemaker treatment.
Promoting home and community-based care
Teaching patients self-care
a. Nurses often need to include home caregivers in the teaching and provide printed
materials for use by patient and caregiver.
b. Priorities for learning are established with the patient and caregiver.
c. Teach importance of periodic pacemaker monitoring, promoting safety, avoiding
infection and sources of electromagnetic interference.
Expected patient outcomes
1. Remains free of infection
a. Has normal temperature.
b. Has WBC count within normal range(5,000-10,000/mm3)
c. Exhibits no redness or swelling of pacemaker insertion site.
2. Adheres to self-care program
a. Responds appropriately when queried about the signs and symptoms of
b. Identifies when to seek medical attention.
c. Adheres to monitoring schedule.
d. Describes appropriate methods to avoid electromagnetic interference.
3. Maintains pacemaker function
a. Measures and records pulse rate at regular intervals.
b. Experience no abrupt changes in pulse rate or rhythm.