Preparing for Your Visit

What to Expect During a Defibrillator or Pacemaker Implant

NSMC Salem Hospital. Patients are pre-registered and report directly to the Cath Lab on Phippen 5.

Have a light meal the night before and don’t eat or drink anything after midnight.
The procedure will take about two hours. You will stay overnight for observation.
During the procedure your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing will be monitored. Local anesthesia and medication will be given to help you relax.
A small incision will be made beneath your collarbone, and a pacemaker or ICD will be inserted through the incision.
A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses to your heart. It helps your heart maintain a normal heartbeat. An internal cardiac defibrillator, or ICD, is also small, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses that correcting an abnormal heartbeat.
The incision will be closed with stitches
You will need to designate a driver to bring you home the next morning.
A week after surgery the stitches will be removed.

NSMC Salem Hospital (in the Cath Lab on Phippen 5)