Pacemaker installation surgery is primarily performed via one of the two approaches – endocardial or epicardial. Local anesthesia is used in the former method, while the latter requires the use of general anesthesia. Let’s throw some more light on these approaches:

ENDOCARDIAL – Performed under local anesthesia, this pacemaker surgery requires the surgeon to make an incision into the chest to insert the leads as well as the pacemaker. The leads are guided through a vein, and into the heart, with the aid of a fluoroscopy machine. The tip of the leas is attached to the heart muscle. The other end, which is attached to the pulse generator, is placed under the skin in the upper chest.

EPICARDIAL – General anesthesia is used in this type of pacemaker installation surgery. The procedures are more or less similar to the endocardial method, but the recovery time is much longer.