1. Artificial Pacemaker: The Heart
Kaitlin Abbate

2. 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

3. Contractions are what allows blood to flow
What happens when SA node does not work properly?
Blood cannot flow like it should, so we need a substitute…

4. 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

5. 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 Blockthe electrical signal is slowed or disrupted as it moves through chambers of heart
Caused by a heart attack or muscular dystrophy

6. 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

7. What does a pacemaker look like?
Composed of TWO main parts
Generator (battery)
Leads (wires)

8. The Generator Acts as a very small computer
Sends out sparks of electricity that trigger the heart to beat
Also records heart’s electrical activity and heart rhythm so doctors can better adjust the pacemaker.
This way, each pacemaker works according to individual needs

9. 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

10. Single Chambered Dual Chambered

11. The Surgery Overview Requires MINOR surgery Takes 2-3 hours
Generally, NOT put to sleep
However, most children are for obvious reasons
Stay in hospital overnight
Return to normal activities a few days after surgery

12. The Actual Procedure Inject local numbing medication
Put needle in a large vein in shoulder
Thread the leads of pacemaker through the needle and into correct places in heart muscle
Cut a small hole into skin of chest and place pacemaker battery just under skin
Connect the wires to the battery and test
Sew ‘em up!

13. Located just under the skin…

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. The End!

19. References/Picture Sources
Artificial Pacemaker -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 20 Mar Web. 21 Mar <
"HowStuffWorks "Chambers and Valves"" Howstuffworks "Health" Discovery, Web. 24 Mar <
"Living with a Pacemaker." National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Web. 25 Mar <
"Pacemakers." Pets With Pacemakers - Info and Support for Pet Pacemaker Recipients. Web. 25 Mar <
"Pacemakers." Welcome to the London Cardiac Institute. London Cardiac Institute. Web. 22 Mar <
"Pacemakers and Abnormal Heart Rhythms." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 25 Mar <
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