Follow-up Visits
Your physician will schedule routine regular follow-up visits for device checks.
Even if you are feeling well, your device needs to be “interrogated” at routine intervals
to ensure appropriate device functioning and to optimize programming parameters.
This entails a “device clinic” check typically every 4–6 months for a pacemaker
system, and every 3–4 months for an ICD. The “device check” takes approximately
20 minutes, with the programmer “wand” placed on your chest over your device.
A noninvasive review of your device parameters, function, and cardiac events will be printed
and kept with your records. Replacement of the pacemaker or ICD generator (battery) is performed
at time of the elective replacement interval determined by the device’s battery life.
Expect a 5 to 8 year average generator life for a pacemaker and a 3 to 6 year life span for a
defibrillator system. An intensified monitoring period will be instituted as battery depletion is
detected. This is determined during your routine device checks as residual battery level can be projected.
The frequency of “device clinic” checks will change to every 2–3 months or less thereafter.
