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The sinoatrial node (SA node) is the primary pacemaker of the heart. It is a region of cardiac muscle on the wall of the upper right atrium near to the superior vena cava entrance. The cells that make up the SA node are specialized cardiomyocytes known as pacemaker cells that can spontaneously generate cardiac action potentials.
The primary purpose of a pacemaker is to maintain an even heart rate, either because the heart's natural cardiac pacemaker provides an inadequate or irregular heartbeat, or because there is a block in the heart's electrical conduction system. Modern pacemakers are externally programmable and allow a cardiologist to select the optimal pacing ...
Wandering atrial pacemaker may be seen in young, healthy individuals as well as in the elderly and those with lung disease. [2] The cause of wandering atrial pacemaker is unclear. Increased tone from the vagus nerve may factor into the rhythm appearing in young, healthy individuals who exercise. The vagus nerve is a part of the parasympathetic ...
An ectopic pacemaker, also known as ectopic focus or ectopic foci, is an excitable group of cells that causes a premature heart beat outside the normally functioning SA node of the heart. It is thus a cardiac pacemaker that is ectopic , producing an ectopic beat .
A phase 1 clinical trial is underway (as of August 2009), consisting of patients with coronary artery bypass grafting and patients in end-stage heart failure who have a left ventricular assist device. The trial involves testing a patch called Anginera which contains cells that secrete hormone-like growth factors stimulating other cells to grow.
This trial found that ILR screening led to a threefold increase in atrial fibrillation detection and anticoagulation initiation. However, it did not show a significant reduction in the risk of stroke or systemic arterial embolism, indicating that not all screen-detected atrial fibrillation might warrant anticoagulation treatment.
The difference between pacemakers and ICDs is that pacemakers are also available as temporary units and are generally designed to correct slow heart rates, i.e. bradycardia, while ICDs are often permanent safeguards against sudden life-threatening arrhythmias. S-ICD lead and generator position Sketch of an already-implanted cardioverter ...
In 1957, Earl Bakken of Minneapolis, Minnesota, produced the first wearable external pacemaker for a pediatric patient of C. Walton Lillehei. The Swede Rune Elmqvist (1906-1996) developed the first internally implanted pacemaker in 1958. During this time, Reynolds Pombo had designed and built an external pacemaker powered by a 12-volt battery.