Pacemaker

Pacemaker 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 a pacemaker is to maintain an adequate heart rate, either because the heart's natural pacemaker is not fast enough, or there is a block in the heart's electrical conduction system. Modern pacemakers are externally programmable and allow a cardiologist, particularly a cardiac electrophysiologist to select the optimal pacing modes for individual patients.

History[edit | edit source]

The development of the artificial pacemaker has involved many innovations. The first wearable pacemaker was designed and built by the Canadian electrical engineer John Hopps in 1950 based on the external design of Paul Zoll which was used in 1952. It was almost 30 years later that the first implantable pacemaker was used.

Types[edit | edit source]

Pacemakers are classified by the number of leads connected to the heart, the number of chambers paced, and the number of chambers sensed. A lead is an insulated wire that is connected to the heart muscle and delivers the electrical signals from the pacemaker. There are single chamber, dual chamber, and biventricular pacemakers.

Function[edit | edit source]

The pacemaker works by sending small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate and rhythm. A sensor, called a lead, is placed near the heart wall to monitor the heart's rhythm. The sensor sends a signal to the pacemaker generator, which sends an electrical impulse to the heart if it is beating too slowly or if it misses a beat.

Risks[edit | edit source]

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with the implantation of a pacemaker. These risks can include infection at the surgical site, allergic reaction to the device material, and bleeding or bruising in the area where the pacemaker was placed.

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Brown atrophy of the heart

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Keshan disease

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Loeffler endocarditis

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Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

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