Permanent Pacemaker

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. The rhythmic beating of the heart is triggered by electrical signals. A change or interruption in these signals can cause a change in the rhythm of the heart. A pacemaker is a small device inserted into the chest cavity to correct and stabilize the heart rhythm. A permanent pacemaker consists of

• A battery that can last for 6 to 10 years
• A pulse generator that helps in analyzing and regulating the rhythm of the heart
• Lead wires that help to stimulate the heartbeat

Pacemakers can be of two types:

• Single chamber pacemaker: This type of pacemaker is used when the electric impulses from the right atrium to the right ventricle slows down, which in turn slows down the heart rate. The pacemaker has a single lead wire placed in either the right atria or the right ventricle.
• Dual chamber pacemaker: This type of pacemaker has two lead wires, one in the right atria and the other in the right ventricle. It regulates the heart rhythm continuously and maximizes the pumping ability of the heart.