Pacemaker on the left or right side?

Hi!

I had some pacemaker settings adjusted at my cardio's office yesterday, and this time the nurse asked me whether I had my pacer on the right or wrong side... So, I asked what's the "wrong" side, and she said that's the left. I was a bit puzzled. Told her that I have it on the left side, also because I'm right-handed. She replied that this has nothing to do with right- or left-handed, and that the right side is the better implant side. Well - everyone I know has his/her pacemaker on the left, and they are all right-handed. I told her that my cardio asked me before the implant if I was left or right-handed. Her answer: He must not have been a cardio then! Interesting conversation...

I don't give much on what the nurse had to say. But I'm curious to find out on which side the majority of you guys is having the pacemaker implanted. I went through some old entries, and found that quite a few members said that they had the pacemaker implanted on the left side, because they were right-handed. Wondering, if our admin could put this question into a poll? Blake, what do you think? I'd really love to confront the nurse with the results :)

Best

Inga



19 Comments

only right

by Katz - 2012-10-12 01:10:08

The vascular surgeon in my pace clinic only implants on the right side. The clinic said that he finds it easier and faster and can increase the number of implants he does in a day. I had no choice, but everything I have read indicates that I should have had a choice. I have just had my 3rd implant all on the right side. I don't know how he will find room for the next one. Maybe I will have to have the surgery somewhere else, who knows, you certainly don't have a voice at my clinic.

Katz

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-12 02:10:04

They should be able to use the same pocket for several pm's! Don had more than one before he had problems with erosion. I ran into problems after my 3rd (scar tissue, not erosion) and was able to have a plastic surgeon clean up the scar tissue so my 4th is in the exact same place as my first 3 were.

Left

by aldeer - 2012-10-12 02:10:16

I was not given a choice. I wish they had asked because I am left handed. When it is time for a battery change, I want it right where it is now. I have learned to do every thing but write with my right hand. I recently injured my right hand, and am now trying to remember my left hand skills. Learning at 84 is not easy :-)..... Aljdeer

Left or right

by IAN MC - 2012-10-12 04:10:56

Hi Inga

I seem to remember a post last year from a right-handed patient whose cardiologist insisted on implanting the PM on the right because it was an "easier" procedure.

My knowledge of cardiac anatomy isn't good enough to know if this is true or not !

I suspect that your nurse is talkng rubbish....but who knows. I must say if you are almost exclusively Rt-handed, like myself, then having the PM on the left is a massive advantage in the first few weeks of the healing process. Regardless of any other considerations , I would have thought that most Drs will opt for the side which is most convenient for the patient.

Cheers

Ian

Just a guess...

by Pookie - 2012-10-12 06:10:15

Hi snitch:)

I betcha 1) the nurse doesn't know shit from putty and 2) perhaps the doc she works for prefers working on the right side of the patient...one never knows.

If I were you...just cuz these things REALLY bug me, but the 1st chance I got (if I were you) I would ask your doc what side is best for the patient and does the patient have a voice.

I too was asked "what hand do you write with" (very specific) - so I said I write with my right hand...but dummy me -- I do everything else with my left hand. Guess when I was 1st started school I was a "lefty", but the teachers kept taking the crayon outta my left and shoved it into my right hand.

I just think things like this should be taken into consideration. I think a lot of things. One being that every hospital in the world should have something like a panel of patients in each dept (cardiology, neurology, etc) and from the patients the doctors sure could learn A LOT.

Take care,
Pookie

Right side implant here.

by PEteacher - 2012-10-12 09:10:11

Hi Inga:

I requested my PM on the right side because I'm left handed.

My cardiologist said that the right side was actually a more difficult procedure, but he did it with no problems.

Having the PM opposite your dominate side is definitely an advantage.

Good luck,

Syd

Right side for right hander

by jenny97 - 2012-10-12 09:10:44

I'm implanted on my right side even though I am left-handed because I play the violin and didn't want the PM to interfere. After the initial recovery, it has been no issue at all that it's on the dominant side.

Whenever I go in for a procedure or even my interrogation, they always look for my PM on the left side, though, so I'm sure it is much more commonly placed there.

Hi Syd

by IAN MC - 2012-10-12 09:10:49

I think it was your earlier post that I remembered. I knew that doing it one side was supposed to be easier than the other.

( I'm always getting left and right mixed up ...it causes havoc when I'm driving !!! )

Cheers

Ian

Right Left ??

by donb - 2012-10-12 10:10:27

Hi, When your left site area is all used up, then the right works out well also. I hate to post this as I've had such great results with my 4th PM on my right & I'm also right handed. It's been more comfortable for me for 3 years
UNTILL a week ago. Lo & behold my site is swollen with pain including my right shoulder. That's what happens when you boast !!
Well, my diagnosis is I've gone beyond my limit with bullwork stretching & pulling working under our cabin eaves. I've really cooled it & started taking Motrin & noticed the pain & swelling is less this morning. As I had my 3rd PM erode 3 years ago & had to be removed. I'm ashamed to say I'm just a glutton for abusing this body but I have learned to be more cautious. At age 80 we become a little fragile.
donb

poll

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-12 10:10:38

I can set up a poll!

Mine is on the left. I thought it was the shortest distance to the heart, that's why it's first choice unless there's a reason to do it otherwise. Once you heal, I wouldn't think it would matter if you're left or right handed.

poll, cont

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-12 10:10:39

I created it and it shows active but it's not showing up in the sidebar. I emailed Blake.

Left side for me too!

by Moner - 2012-10-12 11:10:04

Hi Snitch,

Count me in on the left side, I'm also right handed.

That was one of the first questions my doctor asked, he said I would heal quicker, if it was implanted on the left side.

Good luck with your survey.

I think Pookie is on to something, maybe the doctor prefers to work on the right hand side.


Moner
>^..^<


Thanks!

by golden_snitch - 2012-10-12 12:10:56

Thanks everyone, and especially Tracey for setting up the poll! I'm sure you'll get it working soon. Can't wait to see the results. In my opinion what's most important is that the patient is being asked which side he/she would prefer or is informed about the pros and cons of left vs. right side or vice versa. Apparently, my cardio is not asking or is telling his patients that the right side is THE side for the implant, and that everyone has the pacer there. Always makes me angry when I find out that patients are not given a choice, although they have one.

Best
Inga

Left or right

by Jax - 2012-10-13 01:10:45

The DR was suppose to implant my pm on the right side because I am a lefty. In the procedure room everyone there said that the left side works better because it's closet to the heart so I said ok. The recovery was a little rougher but now I'm fine.

Left for me as well

by TalkinCardio - 2012-10-13 04:10:56

Cathy

left side

by ohiolaura - 2012-10-13 08:10:33

Im a righty,and DR at Cleveland Clinic said then it goes on the left.Workin out well for me.Makes sense to me too,since its less distance to travel to the heart.

Left side

by jeanlancour - 2012-10-13 12:10:21

I was asked which side I wanted it on. I asked him why he asked, he said he wasn't the one wearing it or healing with it in there so what would be more comfortable for me to work with. I said left, so there it is. Jean

Left side too!

by Casper - 2012-10-13 12:10:23


Hello Snitch,

Count me in on the left side too!!

Casper

Left

by pacie - 2012-10-28 02:10:25

Left side for me!! I was given a choice and was also asked if I was right or left handed. I'm a 'rightie'. And I, too, think a patient should have a voice. The only problem I've faced is being uncomfortable with my seat belt. I have the cushion thingie on it but I'm a boney person and it still rubs some. I guess I'm just a 'touchy' person. Lol!!!!!

God Bless,
Pacie

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