Who Performs Pacemaker or ICD Implantation?
Heart and vascular surgeons generally perform pacemaker and cardioverter defibrillator implantation. The process does not involve open-heart surgery, and is generally performed while the patient is awake, though under mild anesthesia. If your doctor determines that you need such a device, he or she will generally refer you to a cardiac or vascular surgeon for the procedure, which is completed on an outpatient basis. Always check the credentials, training and experience of any surgeon or physician performing such procedures to ensure that he or she has been adequately trained, accredited, and certified in his or her country of origin.
