“Are Pacemaker Implants Common After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Frank
By Adam Pick on November 8, 2010
I just received an interesting question from Frank about heart rhythms after heart valve surgery. Frank writes, “I had a tricuspid valve repair, a Patent Foramen Ovalve (PFO) repaired and a Maze procedure performed in July. Now, it appears I will need to have a pacemaker put in next week. I was told that my Atrioventricular (AV) node may have been damaged and I am now in “heart block”. I was wondering if this is common? Thanks Adam!”
Frank raises a great question. As we have seen in prior blogs, several patients receive pacemakers after heart valve surgery. However, Frank’s question addresses two, other surgical considerations which you may not be familiar with — The Maze procedure and heart block.
- The Maze Procedure – You can learn more about the Maze Procedure by watching this video.
- Heart block – According the American Heart Association, sometimes the signal from the heart’s upper to lower chambers is impaired or doesn’t transmit. This is “heart block” or “AV block.” This does not mean that the blood flow or blood vessels are blocked. Heart block is classified according to the level of impairment — first-degree heart block, second-degree heart block or third-degree (complete) heart block.
Given Frank’s situation, I contacted Dr. Marc Gillinov, a leading heart surgeon from The Cleveland Clinic, to get an expert opinion specific to Frank’s question.
Dr. Marc Gillinov
Doctor Gillinov shared with me, “After a Maze procedure or any sort of heart surgery, it is occasionally necessary to place a pacemaker. In the case of a Maze procedure, the pacemaker is usually required because of pre-existing sinus node dysfunction–basically, the heart’s own internal pacemaker, which is called the sinus node, does not work properly.”
Dr. Gillinov also noted, “It is also possible to develop the need for a pacemaker after heart valve surgery. When this occurs, it is usually a result of some interruption of the conduction system by sutures placed in or around the heart valve.”
I hope this helps Frank (and perhaps you) learn more about the need for a pacemaker following heart valve surgery. Thanks to Frank for his question. And, thanks to Dr. Gillinov for his continuing support of this patient and caregiver community.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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Diane Horsak says on December 23rd, 2010 at 9:34 pm |
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I had 2 heart valve surgeries in one day. First one Blood pressure went up and it exploded and I coded. Was rushed back in and a second bovine was put in. It’s been 19 months and it’s still quite stiff and have pulmanary problems every now & then due to nerve damage. Is this normal and will I ever feel normal again? I was also dianosed with post traumatic stress due to this surgery. I was lucky to get your book after the surgery which was quite a help. Everyone should read it before the surgery. I’m 68 and really wondering if this feeling ever goes away after valve surgey. Any comments you can say about this matter would really help. Thank you. Diane |
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clarence says on June 25th, 2011 at 7:27 pm |
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I had a pacemaker put in thursday June23 but doctor not tell me how long to wear my arm sling to proct the lead in wires need information |
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