Pacemakers

Not only is their mailbox full, but chances are they haven't even been on this site since 2004. This forum used to discuss interesting things like this, but not really any more. I believe the people with this kind of interest, experience, and knowledge have found other places to share their info.

The problem with the bovie is when a pt has an ICD (defibrlilator). With a defib (all ICDs can also pace, but not all pacemakers are ICDs) you should turn off by placing a magnet due to ICD can read bovie interference as tachycardic activity & shock the pt when not needed. You only do this with bovi use & CVC placement, If you disable w/ a magnet you must put an external defib on pt in case they actually do have an event where shock is needed. Also, must have device interrogated after surg to make sure ICD wasnt perm disabled by magnet. You dont have to put a magnet on if just a pacemaker. Have it in room if pacemaker has failure to capture, etc.. Then u can place & hopefully get asynch pacing. You have to be careful putting a magnet on a pacemaker willy nilly, some older pacemakers can be perm disabled. And you send your pt home w/ nonfunctioning pacemaker. If your pt has a pacemaker card you should call the company to see what a magnent will do if anything. Read the chapter in Miller over pacemakers & ICDs.