A Leadless Pace Maker

In this case a cervico facial cancer patient scheduled for tracheostomy followed by an endoscopy, and known to have a pacemaker, had hemodynamic instability at the start of general anaesthesia which lasted several hours. The anaesthetist in charge used the magnet to override the pace maker which did not respond. Indeed, it was a leadless pacemaker. These devices will be used more frequently and should be carefully scrutinized at the anaesthetic consultation.