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Pacemakers

Checked: 23-11-2019 by Rob Adams Next Review: 23-11-2020

Who to Refer?

Patients with the following conditions may be offered a pacemaker:

Syncope (with evidence suggesting bradycardia as the cause)
Bradycardia
Sick sinus syndrome
Heart failure (a cardiac resynchronisation treatment pacemaker)

All people with pacemakers and other implanted cardiac devices need regular monitoring to ensure the device is working correctly. Device follow-up can be done in person or via remote monitoring equipment if suitable.

BHI pacemaker page

NBT pacemaker page

Before Referral

Take a detailed history of symptoms and review medication.

Undertake a cardiovascular examination.

Check a 12 lead ecg.

Check bloods as indicated: FBC, UE, TFT, HbA1c (or glucose), calcium.

If diagnosis not clear then consider cardiac rhythm analysis

Referral

New Pacemakers

If you feel a patient needs to be considered for a pacemaker then please refer to the appropriate cardiology clinic or if you are not sure then request cardiology advice and guidance (both available via eRS).

Pacemaker Checks

Patients with existing pacemakers should have regular checks (normally annually) set up once their device has been fitted which should be automatically arranged by the hospital where it was fitted.

Patients coming from another area and needing a pacemaker check can be referred directly to their local pacemaker clinic. Please provide a patient summary including information about the indications for the pacemaker and recent clinic letters from the centre when the pacemaker was last checked. If possible please also include details about the device and lead manufacturer (or scanned copy of patients pacemaker ID card). Please see the Service Guide for details on how to refer.

Contact details for referrals below:

Bristol Heart Institute (Cardiac Device Clinic): Email letter to: BHIcardiacdeviceenquiries@UHBW.nhs.uk
NBT (Cardiac Rhythm Management Clinic): Phone to enquire: Telephone 0117 4140794.
WGH: Email letter to: WestonPacing@uhbw.nhs.uk

Resources

British Heart Foundation - Pacemakers - information for patients

Arrhythmia Alliance - information for patients and clinicians

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