Perioperative Management of Pacemaker Patients

Pacemaker malfunction due to electromagnetic interference and other causes is an important potential cause of patient morbidity and mortality. While the pacemaker industry has been aware of this situation, little has been communicated to physicians concerning the problem. Now, the collected experience and thoughts of pacemaker industry representatives, physicians working with pacemaker patients and legal authorities are brought together in this book to focus on the topic of pacemaker malfunction in perioperative settings. The book begins with discussion of the design and function of modern pacemakers and related devices. It moves on to consider how electromechanical interference, radio-frequency transmission, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, radiotherapy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can interfere with or alter pacemaker function. Then, the legal perspective concerning industry and physician responsibilities to patients with pacemakers is presented, followed by discussion of indications for temporary perioperative or permanent pacing. In the final two chapters, the editors make recommendations for the perioperative management of patients with pacemakers.