1. Pace Maker
By: Marley Bonney, Michael Lowman,
Sam Dailey, Scott Beautz.

2. What is its function?
• A pacemaker is a small device that's placed in the chest
or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms.
This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to
beat at a normal rate.
• Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias. Arrhythmias
are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.
During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too
slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
• Pacemakers also can monitor and record your heart's
electrical activity and heart rhythm. Newer pacemakers
can monitor your blood temperature, breathing rate, and
other factors and adjust your heart rate to changes in
your activity.

3. Double lead pacemakers and single
lead pacemakers.
• Single lead pacemakers are used primarily in four situations:
• 1. When the only problem is with the formation of the initial impulse in the atrium, simply placing a
lead in the right atrium will "start things off" when it's needed, and the electrical impulse will then
continue normally through the rest of the atrium, the AV node and the ventricles.
• 2. When the patient is in chronic atrial fibrillation and the ventricle is going too slow atrial
fibrillation. In this case, only a single lead is placed in the ventricle (because the fibrillating atrium
cannot be paced).
• 3. When the problem with a slow rate occurs only occasionally and for relatively brief periods of
time, a single lead in the ventricle may be all that is utilized to provide brief help at those times.
• 4. A special lead which can sense in both chambers, and pace only in the ventricle is also useful
in some situations, and is discussed below.
• "Dual chamber" devices (with one lead in the right atrium and one in the right ventricle) are
desirable in many situations. Such devices keep the upper and lower chambers contracting in
their proper sequence.
• A fairly recent development is a single lead that paces only the ventricle, but senses both
chambers. In this device, a sensing ring is on the lead at the level of the atrium, which can sense
the atrium's activity. The ventricle is sensed in the usual way, via the contact of the lead with the
muscle. This device is particularly useful in situations where the sinus node is beating fast
enough, but there is a block in the propagation of the impulse to the rest of the heart muscle.
• The earliest pacemakers did not sense if the heart was making any impulses on their own, and
were described as "fixed rate" pacemakers. These are simply not made any longer, and current
devices are described as "demand" models, pacing the heart only when needed.
• Another feature that distinguishes different types of pacemakers is their ability to respond to a
person's activity, going faster when the person is active, and slower when inactive.
• Most modern pacemakers can be programmed, and can be set in a manner that is best for the
particular person in whom it is implanted. There is more on this below.

4. Where is it used?
• It is used in the human body.

5. What does it look like?

6. How much does it cost?
• About 14,000 dollars.

7. When was it invented? Who invented
it?
• John Hopps invented the first cardiac
pacemaker in 1950.

8. What company/companies make it?
• 44 companies in the US make this
machine.

9. Can it cause harm?
• Complications can include pacemaker failure
(extremely rare), and lead failure (less rare).
• Symptoms that might indicate a pacemaker malfunction
include weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness,
or loss of consciousness. If any of these symptoms are
present, you or your family should notify your doctor.

10. What should people know about it
to keep them safe or use properly?
• Eating and drinking:
– Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat
dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have
more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
– Follow your caregiver's advice about how much liquid you should drink each day. For
most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to
drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these should also be counted in
your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you
feel thirsty.
•
• Start exercising: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan
the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get
stronger. Exercising can help make your heart stronger, lower your blood pressure, and
keep you healthy.
• Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the
blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke.
You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more
information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
• Avoid stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Since it is hard to avoid stress,
learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing. Talk to your caregiver
about things that upset you.

11. Continued slide
• Carry the ID card that your caregiver has given you. This card provides
information about the type of pacemaker and leads you have. Keep emergency
numbers within easy reach.
• Stay away from large magnets. This includes a MRI test (a MRI uses powerful
magnets). It is safe to use major household appliances. These include
microwaves, computers, toasters, hairdryers, and heating pads.
• You can safely pass through security at airports. Be sure to have your
pacemaker ID card with you.
• Avoid leaning into a car engine or doing welding. You may need to change your
job if you do these things for a living.
• You can use cellular phones. Be sure to hold the cellular phone on the opposite
ear of where the pacemaker is located. Do not carry your cellular phone in a
shirt pocket near the pacemaker.
• Ask your caregiver when you can use ice after surgery. Wrap the ice in a towel
and then place the towel over the pacemaker site. Never apply ice directly to
your skin. Ask your caregiver how often and how long to place ice on your
pacemaker site.
• Let your dentist know that you have a pacemaker. Dental drilling may cause
your pacemaker rate to increase.