User's Manual

140
Cautionary Notes
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Electrocautery
Electrocautery should never be performed within 15 cm (6 inches) of
an implanted pacemaker or lead because of the danger of inducing
ventricular fibrillation and/or damaging the pacemaker. For
transurethral electroresection of the prostate, placing the neutral
electrode under the buttocks or around the upper thigh, but not in the
thoracic area, is recommended. The pacemaker should be
programmed to an asynchronous mode to avoid inhibition by
interference signals. The patient's peripheral pulse should be
continuously monitored throughout the treatment. The pacemaker
function must be checked after the treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
In-vitro tests conducted to date have not yielded any results of
compromised pacemaker and lead functioning if the hyperbaric
pressure does not exceed 1.5 bar (2.5 bar absolute). At higher
pressures, deformation of the pacemaker housing was observed.
However, until these test results can be clinically confirmed with
statistically significant case data, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is
contraindicated regardless of the pressure applied, because the
environmental conditions entailed in this therapy are out of the defined
range of use.
If this procedure cannot be avoided, the hyperbaric pressure must
absolutely not exceed 1.5 bar (2.5 bar absolute), and the patient must
be continually monitored. After the procedure, the pacemaker and the
artificial pacing system must be checked and observed for a sufficient
period of time.