Have you ever wondered how a pacemaker works? An artificial pacemaker is an electronic mechanism which is attached to the heart via tiny wires. The pacemaker is usually implanted through surgery, however temporary external pacemakers are available. The pacemaker sends an electrical current to the heart, which stimulates the heart to "beat." This is useful for people whose heart beats at an abnormal rate.
The purpose of a pacemaker is to make sure that the heart is beating at a proper, healthy rate. These devices are used if the heart's natural ability to regulate its beats is not working correctly. They may also be used if the electrical conduction of the heart is blocked in some way.
These days, an electronic heart pacemaker can be programmed externally by a trained cardiologist who will be able to configure it to fit more precisely the needs of the individual. Pacemakers may also be combined with a defibrillator all in one unit if necessary.
While experiments were taking place into pacemakers as far back as 1889, it was not until 1958 that an artificial and implantable pacemaker was first used. The first patient to use the device was Arne Larson who used twenty-two such apparatuses over the course of his life.
Surgery is required to implant the pacemaker, although it is generally a straightforward procedure. In most cases, a local anesthetic is given and an incision is made below the left collar bone, where the pacemaker is inserted and the electrode wires are attached to the heart using a fluoroscope. Afterward, the doctor usually prescribes antibiotics as a precaution against infection as a result of the surgery.
A person who has undergone an artificial heart pacemaker implantation is usually required to visit the doctor once in a while so that the doctor can see that everything is working correctly and that the patient is remaining healthy.
Have you ever wondered how a pacemaker works? An artificial pacemaker is an electronic mechanism which is attached to the heart via tiny wires. The pacemaker is usually implanted through surgery, however temporary external pacemakers are available. The pacemaker sends an electrical current to the heart, which stimulates the heart to "beat." This is useful for people whose heart beats at an abnormal rate.