Micra Pacemaker Instructions

You have been implanted with a leadless pacemaker. A leadless pacemaker is used to treat heart rhythms that can cause your heart to beat too slowly or miss beats.

What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate or to stimulate the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles).
Pacemakers are used to treat patients with brady-arrythmias, slow heart rhythms that may occur as a result of disease in the heart's conduction system. A leadless pacemaker is small self-contained device that is inserted in the right ventricle of the heart.

Who is a candidate for a leadless pacemaker?
Not everyone is a candidate for a leadless pacemaker. Currently, the device is available only for patients with a slow heart rate (bradycardia) who need single chamber pacing only.

How is the leadless pacemaker implanted?
The pacemaker is put in place using a straw like tube called a catheter. The doctor will numb the groin area and insert the catheter into the femoral vein. Your doctor will use X-ray to guide the catheter to the right ventricle of your heart. The doctor will place the pacemaker against the right ventricle wall. The device is tested and programmed, then the catheter is removed.

What happens after the procedure?
You will be on bedrest for a specific amount of time. This prevents bleeding from the puncture site. A sterile dressing will be placed on your groin area to protect it from infection. You may spend the night in the hospital and will be able to go home after your device check and a chest X-ray.

Home Instructions

• Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks or until seen at your follow-up appointment.

• Try to minimize bending the affected leg.

• Do not lift more than 10 pounds for 2-4 weeks, depending on your doctor’s preference.

• Do not drive for 7 days post procedure.

• You can remove the dressing the day after your procedure, keep the area dry until it is well healed.

• Do not submerge the puncture site in water until healed, usually, 3 to 5 days. No tub bathing, hot tub or swimming.

• Keep a careful eye on the puncture site for signs of infection which are:

• Redness

• Soreness

• Raised appearance

• Yellow or green drainage