Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Rochester Implantable Device Clinic

Mayo Clinic Rochester's Implantable Device Clinic is a collaborative effort of physicians and specially trained nurses within the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases that functions to evaluate and manage the care of patients prior to and following the implantation of cardiac pacemakers and automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator systems.

Patients receive their ongoing care either through face-to-face encounters with the physicians and/or nurses or via the telephone utilizing specifically designed transmitter units which allow analysis of pacemaker function in the convenience of the patient's home. Only if problems are identified is the patient required to travel to the Mayo Clinic for more extensive on-site evaluation. Patients may also be seen in the Clinic to modify or customize their pacemaker functions to meet their individual needs through the use of programming devices which modify pacemaker function noninvasively.

In addition to the management of implanted pacing systems, patients are evaluated for the need for pacemaker therapy by the cardiologists who perform the implantation procedures. Patients and their families are also educated in the Clinic by our nurses on all aspects of pacing including: types and functions of pacemakers, short-term disability and lifestyle adjustments that might be required, follow-up procedures and requirements and instructions for contacting nursing and physician staff on a 24-hour basis if any concerns about pacemaker functions arise.

The Pacemaker Service implants approximately 1,300 devices on a yearly basis. The Implantable Device Clinic follows approximately 4,000 patients on a regular basis at least four times per year by phone. Follow-up is intensified if the clinical situation warrants. The Clinic provides follow-up not only for Rochester Mayo patients, but for patients of all Mayo affiliated clinics.

Physician Staff

Robert F. Rea, M.D. – Medical Director
Samuel J. Asirvatham, M.D.
David Bradley, M.D., Ph.D.
Peter A. Brady, M.D.
Yongmei Cha, M.D.
Raul E. Espinosa, M.D.
Paul A. Friedman, M.D.
David L. Hayes, M.D.
Michael D. McGoon, M.D.
Thomas M. Munger, M.D.
Michael J. Osborn, M.D.
Win-Kuang Shen, M.D.