Interventional Cardiology
Pacemaker Implantation
A pacemaker is a small device placed under the skin near your collarbone to keep your heartbeat steady. It is implanted through a tiny incision under light sedation and most patients go home the same day.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
45 to 75 minutes
Anesthesia
Sedation with local
Recovery
Same day, 3 to 5 hours
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Please call us to confirm whether this procedure is performed here or referred to another facility.
Overview
A pacemaker treats a heartbeat that is too slow or pauses. A small generator is placed under the skin below the collarbone and connected to one or two thin leads that reach the heart through a vein.
The device watches every beat and delivers a gentle impulse only when your own rhythm falls behind, restoring energy and preventing fainting.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Symptomatic bradycardia, fainting, or dizziness
- Heart block documented on EKG or monitor
- Pauses found on a Holter or loop recorder
- Medication-related slow heart rate that cannot be changed
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Creating the pocket
The skin below the collarbone is numbed thoroughly and a small pocket is created for the generator.
Placing the leads
Leads are advanced through a vein into the heart under X-ray guidance and tested for reliable sensing and pacing.
Programming
The generator is connected, settings are tailored to your rhythm and activity level, and the incision is closed with absorbable sutures.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Keep the site dry for five days and avoid raising that arm above your shoulder for two weeks.
A wound and device check is scheduled within ten days, then remote monitoring follows your device from home.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a microwave or cell phone?
Yes. Household electronics are safe. Keep cell phones and strong magnets at least six inches from the device.
Will I set off airport security?
You may. Carry your device identification card and ask for a hand search instead of walking through the detector.
Is pacemaker implantation done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
