What happens during a pediatric pacemaker placement operation?

Pediatric pacemaker placement surgery usually takes several hours. Here's what will happen:

1. Monitoring. Devices will be attached to keep track of your child's heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

2. Incision. The doctor will make a small incision (cut) in the skin. This makes a "pocket" for the pulse generator.

3. Placing one or more leads. The doctor will insert a needle into a vein, and will insert each lead using the needle. Using X-ray guidance, the leads will be threaded through the vein into your child's heart.

4. Testing the leads. The medical team will take electrical measurements to make sure each lead is in the correct place. Each lead might be moved, and retested each time, until it is perfectly positioned.

5. Attaching the pulse generator. The pulse generator will be connected to the leads and will be inserted under your child's skin.

6. Programming the pacemaker. The pacemaker will be set to the rate your child's heart needs. The medical team might also adjust other settings.

7. Closing the incision. Your child's doctor will close the surgical cut with a few stitches, and your child will be moved to recovery.