Below are general recommendations for post implant surgical care. Patients should always follow their heart doctors specific instructions and direct all medical questions to their heart doctor.
After your heart device is implanted, your doctor may order tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, or x-rays. These tests confirm that your lead(s) is in the proper position inside your heart. Your doctor may also recheck your heart device’s settings to make sure they are providing the best treatment for your heart condition.
As you recover, follow your doctor’s suggestions about resuming normal activities. Expect a gradual recovery. It is normal to see a slight bulge under your skin where the heart device is located. If you have a Micra™ pacemaker, it is implanted inside the right ventricle of the heart.
Here are general recommendations for the first few weeks after your surgery:
• Call your doctor immediately if any swelling, warmth, or drainage appears around your incision or if you develop a fever.
• Use care when exercising and bathing or showering, according to your doctor’s directions.
• Avoid tight clothing that may irritate your incision.
• Limit arm movements as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid lifting more than 10 to 15 pounds (5 to 7 kilograms).
• Avoid excessive twisting of your torso.
• Avoid pushing or pulling heavy objects.
• When you are driving or riding in a vehicle, the shoulder seat belt strap may feel uncomfortable during the first few weeks after surgery. Place a soft towel between the shoulder seat belt strap and your implant site to cushion the area. Always wear a seat belt.
• Tell your other doctors and your dentist that you have a heart device. They may prescribe antibiotics for you to take before and after surgery or dental work to prevent infection.
• Call your doctor immediately if any swelling, warmth, or drainage appears around your incision or if you develop a fever.
• Use care when exercising and bathing or showering, according to your doctor’s directions.
• As with any kind of surgery, there is the potential risk of infection.
• Tell your other doctors that you have a cardiac monitor. They may choose to prescribe antibiotics for you to take before and after any surgery to prevent infection.
Medtronic manufactures implanted heart devices. Medtronic also maintains a registration database of patients who have Medtronic heart devices implanted. However, Medtronic does not have medical files or records for patients who have Medtronic implanted heart devices. Information about a patient’s current medical situation, present medical concerns, medications, or health history is managed by the physician responsible for the patient’s care. Medtronic recommends you contact the medical doctor with any questions about medical care, device settings and indications for implant.
| Important Safety Information |
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An implantable pacemaker system relieves symptoms of heart rhythm disturbances. They do this by restoring normal heart rates. A normal heart rate provides your body with the proper amount of blood circulation. The pacemaker system is intended for patients who need rate-adaptive pacing or chronic pacing or for patients who may benefit from synchronizing the pumping of the heart chambers. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system delivers therapies to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders or who are at significant risk of developing heart rhythm disorders. An ICD is placed inside your body and works automatically. An implantable CRT pacemaker system relieves symptoms of heart rhythm disturbances. They do this by restoring normal heart rates. A normal heart rate provides your body with the proper amount of blood circulation. The pacemaker system is intended for patients who need rate-adaptive pacing or chronic pacing or for patients who may benefit from synchronizing the pumping of the heart chambers. A cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system delivers therapies to treat patients who may benefit from synchronizing the pumping of the heart chambers. A CRT ICD also delivers therapies to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders or who are at significant risk of developing heart rhythm disorders. Risks associated with these implantable device systems include, but are not limited to, infection at the surgical site and/or sensitivity to the device material, failure to deliver therapy when it is needed, or receiving extra therapy when it is not needed. After receiving an implantable device system, you will have limitations with magnetic and electromagnetic radiation, electric or gas-powered appliances and tools with which you are allowed to be in contact. If you have a complete MRI SureScan™ system, your physician may prescribe an MRI scan for you. The energy fields present during an MRI scan may interact with an implanted heart device, which could create risks for you. However, many Medtronic heart devices are designed to reduce these risks to a very low level so that you can safely undergo MRI scans under specified conditions. If you need an MRI, your doctor will confirm you are eligible based on the requirements provided by Medtronic. Treatment with these implantable device systems is prescribed by your physician. This treatment or service is not for everyone. Please talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you. Your physician should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you. Although many patients benefit from the use of this treatment or service, results may vary. Possible risks associated with the implant of a LINQ Family ICM (LINQ II ICM or Reveal LINQ ICM) include, but are not limited to, infection at the surgical site, device migration, erosion of the device through the skin and/or sensitivity to the device material. Accessories available for use with LINQ Family ICMs may experience connectivity or performance issues. See product manuals for details and troubleshooting instructions. |