Abstract
A pacemaker is an implanted electronic device which takes over command of the cardiac rhythm when the natural mechanism fails. In practical terms, it consists of a battery, and an electronic circuit which transforms the continuous electric current into short electrical impulses. The rhythm of the myocardium will be that imposed by these impulses which are therefore regulated at 70–80/min (lasting about 1/1000 second each with an amplitude in the order of several volts). The whole device is enclosed in a sealed case made out of metal or epoxy-resin. The electrical impulses are conducted to the heart muscle by isolated electrodes and depolarisation of the heart follows the minute electrical discharge which takes place at the tip of the electrodes. Depolarisation leads to contraction of the ventricular muscle.
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© 1978 Tardieu
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Fontaine, G., Grosgogeat, Y., Welti, JJ., Tardieu, B. (1978). Preface. In: The Essentials in Cardiac Pacing. The Tardieu Series, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9736-3_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9736-3_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-247-2102-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9736-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive