WHAT IS CARDIAC PACEMAKER.....?

The cardiac pacemaker is an electronic device which is used to initiate the heart beat when the S.A node (Sino-Atrial node) is seriously damaged and is unable to act as the natural pacemaker of the heart.
The main aims of Artificial pacemaker is to control cardiac rate and rhythm when the natural pacemaker is defective or destroyed ,to initiative cardiac activity in ventricular standstill.

Types of Pacemakers:
Two types of pacemakers ( i) External Pacemaker ,(ii)Internal Pacemaker.

( i) External Pacemaker :
 The pulse generating device remains outside the body and the electrical stimulation is conveyed to the heart through a pacing catheter.The external pacemakers are always temporary pacemakers.

(ii)Internal Pacemaker :
 The pulse generating device is implanted in the subcutaneous tissues and the electrical stimulation passed to the heart through pacing catheters.The internal pacemakers are always permanent pacemakers.

When Pacemaker is used..?

To treat partial or complete heart block that do not respond to drug therapy.
To treat drug resistant bradycardias and congestive heart failure (CHF).
To permit administration of high doses of drugs for the prevention of recurrent tachyarrhythmias.
To treat cardiac arrest and drug resistant ventricular tachycardia .
As a prophylaxis of cardiac surgery.