Pacemaker and ICD Followup Program

Pacemakers and ICDs are implanted in individuals with abnormalities in their cardiac electrical system. The devices used today are very sophisticated with advanced technology and can be optimized non-invasively for individual patient’s needs. These devices require regular follow-up evaluations to optimize the longevity of the battery, assess appropriate function of the pulse generator and lead(s), identify malfunctions, and to adjust settings so that each individual obtains appropriate and maximum benefit from their implanted device. Pulse generators and leads can fail but regular follow-up evaluations can often identify these impending failures before symptoms occur and avoid emergent or catastrophic events.  Click here to learn more about the different types of pacemakers. 

Program Description & Statistics

Pacemakers and ICDs are implanted by Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI) electrophysiologists at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Implant patients are evaluated by the staff of the Pacemaker/ICD Clinic at Abbott Northwestern on the day after implantation to assure appropriate function, and are then enrolled in a follow-up device surveillance program. Patients are seen on a regular basis as outpatients at the main MHI clinic on the Abbott Northwestern campus, and at our 18 outreach locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Pacemakers are evaluated two months post implant and every six months thereafter in the clinic setting. Telephone follow-up is used to compliment clinic follow-up, and particularly to assess the status of the battery as the age of the battery increases.

ICDs are evaluated two months post implant and every three to four months thereafter in the clinic.

Current pacemakers and ICDs store valuable diagnostic information regarding arrhythmias that have occurred. This information is useful in assessing the cause of symptomatic events and to guide physicians in the ongoing management of patients with known tachyarrhythmias or who are at risk for such arrhythmias.

The MHI Pacemaker/ICD Clinic participates in the MHIF Multi-center Pacemaker and ICD Registry. This registry collects data from 14 centers regarding failures of pulse generators and leads. By collaborating this data, information is available to members via the Internet regarding early identification of failure trends, and allows intensified follow-up of particular device/lead models that are suspected of failure.

The Pacemaker/ICD Clinic was established in 1987. Currently, more than 9,000 patient evaluations are performed annually by the Pacemaker/ICD clinic staff and more than 2,500 patients are actively followed through our clinic.