Kaitlin Abbate

Artificial Pacemaker:The Heart

The Healthy Heart

Natural Pacemaker: Sinoatrial Node (SA node) Located in the right

atrium Sends electric impulses

from atriums to ventricles which causes them to contract

Contractions are what allows blood to flowWhat happens when SA node does not

work properly?

Blood cannot flow like it should, so we need a substitute…

The Artificial Pacemaker!

A small device placed in the chest to control abnormal heart rhythms

Uses a computer memory to generate electronic signals at the right pace Doctors pre-determine the

“right pace” and it can be adjusted at any time

Who needs a pacemaker?

Atrial Fibrillation: heart beats very rapidly and chaotically Not life threatening itself but may lead to stroke

or chest pain

Bradycardia: heart beats too slowly Caused by age or heart block

Heart Blockthe electrical signal is slowed or disrupted as it moves through chambers of heart

• Caused by a heart attack or muscular dystrophy

Anyone else? Yes!

Syncope: “the common faint” Heart rate sometimes

becomes very slow

Heart Failure: heart cannot supply enough blood to meet body’s needs Caused by heart disease,

hypertension, cardiomyopathy

What does a pacemaker look like?

Composed of TWO main partsGenerator (battery)

Leads (wires)

The Generator

Acts as a very small computerSends out sparks of electricity that trigger

the heart to beatAlso records heart’s electrical activity and

heart rhythm so doctors can better adjust the pacemaker. This way, each pacemaker works according to

individual needs

The Leads

Wires threaded through veins and attached to heart muscle, carrying the impulses

Single Chamber: one lead in ventricle OR atria

Dual Chamber: one lead in ventricle AND atria

Biventricular: one lead in atria and one lead in EACH ventricle

Single Chambered Dual Chambered

The Surgery Overview

Requires MINOR surgeryTakes 2-3 hoursGenerally, NOT put to sleep

However, most children are for obvious reasons

Stay in hospital overnight Return to normal activities a few days after

surgery

The Actual Procedure

1. Inject local numbing medication2. Put needle in a large vein in shoulder3. Thread the leads of pacemaker through

the needle and into correct places in heart muscle

4. Cut a small hole into skin of chest and place pacemaker battery just under skin

5. Connect the wires to the battery and test6. Sew ‘em up!

Located just under the skin…

Life Post-Pacemaker

Electrical Devices can interfere! Cell phones, ipods Microwaves Metal detectors Electrical generators

However, only long periods of contact really have an impact

Also, this danger is lowered with newer devices

Limited Physical Activity?

Not really! One can pretty much participate in sports, and even strenuous exercises Still, ask your doctor

though, cases may vary However, full contact

sports should always be avoided do not want to disrupt the

battery or move any wires BAD

Pacemaker Maintenance

Pacemakers do not last forever Battery actually last between 5-15 years with 6-

8 years being average Wires usually last a little longer All depends on how active the pacemaker is

Regular check-ups with doctor are a must to make sure the battery/wires are up to par

Pacemakers for Pets! Used for the same reasons and same types Usually less expensive Pacemakers used are actually ones that power

source is below acceptable limits for people Implanted generally the same way

Except most wires inserted through jugular vein rather than shoulder vein simply because bodies differ

Animals that have been able to accept pacemakers so far: Dogs, cats Cows, bulls Horses Sheep, goats

The End!

References/Picture Sources

Artificial Pacemaker -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 20 Mar. 2010. Web. 21 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_pacemaker>.

"HowStuffWorks "Chambers and Valves"" Howstuffworks "Health" Discovery, 1998. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/heart2.htm>.

"Living with a Pacemaker." National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pace/pace_lifestyle.html>.

"Pacemakers." Pets With Pacemakers - Info and Support for Pet Pacemaker Recipients. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://www.petswithpacemakers.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=12&Itemid=119>.

"Pacemakers." Welcome to the London Cardiac Institute. London Cardiac Institute. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. <http://londoncardiac.ca/pages/pacer.htm>.

"Pacemakers and Abnormal Heart Rhythms." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/abnormal-rhythyms-pacemaker>.

<http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2008_Groups/group10/img/pacemaker/2.jpg>

<http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/08/799205_96399001.jpg> <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/

St_Jude_Medical_pacemaker_in_hand.jpg> <http://www.southwestlondoncardiacnetwork.nhs.uk/Images/pacemaker_cartoon.jpg>