title: Pacemaker insertion.
abstract: A pacemaker (PM) (or artificial PM, so as not to be confused with the heart's natural PM) is a medical device that uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contracting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart. The primary purpose of this device is to maintain an adequate heart rate, either because the heart's natural PM is not fast enough, or there is a block in the heart's electrical conduction system. Modern PMs are externally programmable and allow the cardiologist to select the optimum pacing modes for individual patients. Some combine a PM and defibrillator in a single implantable device. PMs can be temporary or permanent. Temporary PMs are used to treat short-term heart problems, such as a slow heartbeat that's caused by a heart attack, heart surgery, or an overdose of medicine. Permanent PMs are used to control long-term heart rhythm problems. A PM can relieve some arrhythmia symptoms, such as fatigue and fainting. A PM also can help a person who has abnormal HRs resume a more active lifestyle. In the current mini review we will focus on the insertion of a PM and the possible pneumothorax that can be caused.
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kotsakou
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Kioumis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Lazaridis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Pitsiou
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Lampaki
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Antonis
authors: A
authors: Papaiwannou
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Anastasia
authors: A
authors: Karavergou
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Kosmas
authors: K
authors: Tsakiridis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Katsikogiannis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Ilias
authors: I
authors: Karapantzos
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Chrysanthi
authors: C
authors: Karapantzou
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Baka
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Mpoukovinas
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Vasilis
authors: V
authors: Karavasilis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Aggeliki
authors: A
authors: Rapti
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Trakada
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Athanasios
authors: A
authors: Zissimopoulos
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Konstantinos
authors: K
authors: Zarogoulidis
authors: 1 Electrophysiology Department, "Saint Luke" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Panorama, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 9 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 10 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital University, Athens, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Zarogoulidis
keywords: Pneumothorax; VATS; pacemaker (PM)