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Pacemakers—A journey through the years

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Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This is an article on the history of artificial cardiac pacemakers. Before the advent of pacemakers, not much could be done for patients who suffered from cardiac asystole and other cardiac rhythm disturbances. Although the concept that an artificial pacemaker could be used to stimulate the heart in standstill evolved much earlier, it was not until 1952 that the first case of successful pacing of the human heart could be documented. From that time onwards, pacemakers have seen tremendous technological advancements—not only in terms of pacemaker efficacy, but also in terms of patient safety. The outstanding amongst these include the development of myocardial and endocardial electrodes and the invention of a transistorized external pacemaker with a battery backup. With the development of the first implantable pacemaker, the cherished dream of long term pacing came true. At the same time, recognition of pacemaker induced arrhythmias gave an impetus to the evolution of safer modes for cardiac pacing.

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  1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, 110029, New Delhi

    Tarun Mittal

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  1. Tarun Mittal
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Correspondence to Tarun Mittal.

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Mittal, T. Pacemakers—A journey through the years. Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 21, 236–249 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12055-005-0060-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12055-005-0060-0

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