Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices (Part II)Perioperative Management

IN the first installment of this two-part communication, we reviewed the indications for an implanted pacemaker or internal cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD), provided a brief overview of how a device is selected, and described the basics of pacemaker and ICD design and function. Here we discuss specific device malfunction, electromagnetic and mechanical interference, and management for patients with a device or undergoing system implantation or revision. As in part I, the NASPE-BPEG (for North American Society for Pacing and Electrophysiology–British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group; sometimes abbreviated as NBG) generic pacemaker code is used to designate pacing modes.