Cardiac arrhythmias - where the heartbeat is too slow (bradycardia) - can be congenital or occur after myocarditis or heart surgery. Surgically implanted pacemakers consist of a battery and the electrodes, which are attached in or on the heart. After discharge, the devices must be checked regularly - usually every 6 months. This pacemaker test is completely painless and is carried out using radio waves simply by placing a special magnet on the pacemaker battery.
We carry out this examination on the premises of the cardiac outpatient clinic of the Children's Heart Center Vienna. In order to adapt the programming exactly to the child's needs, 4 small adhesive electrodes are first connected to the programming device for simultaneous measurement of the ECG. The condition of the electrodes and the battery power of the pacemaker can then be precisely determined and, if changes are necessary, this can be done electronically at the touch of a button.
At the end of each pacemaker test, our patients and their parents receive a detailed explanation of the current status of the pacemaker and a printout with the exact programming. Depending on the underlying disease and the respective rhythm problem, as well as the patient's height and growth, very different types of pacemaker therapy are sometimes possible and also necessary. This means that a few years after implantation, the batteries (pacemaker units) have to be replaced or the electrodes renewed.
We discuss the optimum time for changing the pacemaker with the patients and their families so that necessary interventions can be planned for as long as possible, e.g. depending on school enrollment, school vacations or final exams, etc.