According to a new research, patients are test driving a pacemaker outside the skin prior to deciding whether to have a permanent implant.

The new research has been presented at EHRA EUROPACE - CARDIOSTIM 2015 by Professor Michael Giudici, who is director of arrhythmia services in the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, US.

The combined meeting of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and Cardiostim was held in Milan, Italy. Professor Giudici said that a patient could see the before and after, with the help of the procedure, therefore they can make right decision after getting proper information.

According to him, "Patients have numerous concerns, such as body image issues. There will be an incision in the upper chest, perhaps some discolouration of the skin and a lump which may be visible depending on what you wear". He added that when it comes to women, there are intimacy issues with upper chest device implants and they generally go for a submammary location.

Giudici said that older people are concerned that their grandchildren will hit their heads on the pacemaker which could lead to discomfort. He added that there are also many problems with just having a device inside the body.

Professor Giudici thought of test driving after he used the technique successfully in patients who were already relying on a pacemaker, however required its removal temporarily due to device infection. All hardware of these patients was removed and they were prescribed antibiotics for clearing the infection prior to receiving a new permanent device.