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Pacemakers
An artificial pacemaker is a medical device that regulates the heartbeat via electrical impulses that are delivered by electrodes, which contracts the muscles of the heart. Pacemakers are given to people who have a slow natural pacemaker or those who have a cardiac obstruction blocking natural electrical impulses.
470 Questions
Difference between external and implanted pacemaker?
Answer
External means on the outside. Implanted means that the pacemaker goes inside the body.
- Yes! A pacemaker device is designed to last anywhere between 6 and 10 years. Though FDA regulations does not permit the recycling of pacemakers for humans in the United States, we have come to find many scientific journals that say recycling pacemakers is a safe practice. Here are a few excerpts from some of the scientific journals we have found that support recycling pacemakers
Many skeptics of pacemaker recycling cite potential problems with sterilizing the extracted pacemaker and guaranteeing its mechanical ability for a second recipient.http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Special:Wysiwyg?tid=wysiwyg#_ftn1 While these concerns may have been viable years ago technological developments and clinical research has proven them to be archaic.
The Cardiovascular Department at the University of Michigan Medical Center is now engaged in a pacemaker recycling study where they utilize the following procedure to adequately sterilize recycled pacemakers. According to their article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, "Pipe cleaners and other instruments were employed to ensure that all debris was removed, specifically at the lead insertion sites. Devices were then bathed with isopropyl alcohol and soaked overnight in Asepti-zyme at a concentration of 1:128. Pacemakers were wiped with 70% ethanol, air dried, packed in gas permeable envelopes, and decontaminated via an 8-h ethylene oxide gas sterilization protocol." The U of M program has successfully re-implanted 12 pacemakers in the Philippines.http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Special:Wysiwyg?tid=wysiwyg#_ftn2
As far as the mechanical quality of potential recycled pacemakers, there seems to be no difference in quality except in battery life. The non-profit organization, Heart Too Heart and the University of Michigan both require that a pacemaker's battery has 70% or greater batter life remaining before it even becomes a candidate for reuse. Further, several longitudinal research studies have shown that there is no recognizable difference in mechanical quality between new and recycled pacemakers. In fact, some suggest that doctors can be more confident with a recycled pacemaker because of its proven track record. The following is another study that has shown pacemaker recycling to be a safe and life-saving opportunity for people in less privileged countries. Over 3,500 patients were studied in two groups from 1976 to 1981. One group received a new device and the other received a recycled pacemaker. The study concluded that "There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, either in terms of indications for implantation or in terms of actuarial survival of patients. In addition, there was no significant change in survival of the pulse generator. The reutilization of pacemakers appeared to be in no way detrimental to patients."http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Special:Wysiwyg?tid=wysiwyg#_ftn3
- If you would like to read more scholarly work on the safety of pacemaker recycling the following articles all come from a scholarly background.
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- 1. Is there an afterlife for pacemakers and defibrillators?(2007). Harvard Heart Letter, 17(6), 7.
- [1] Food and Drug Administration. (June 18, 2009). CPG Sec. 310.100 Pacemaker Reuse (CPG 7124.12). Retrieved October 31, 2009, from http://www.fda.gov.er.lib.kstate.edu/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm073891.htm
- 2Baman, T., Romero, A., Kirkpatrick, J., Romero, J., Lange, D., Sison, E., Tangco, R., Abelardo, N., Samson, G., Grezlik, R., Goldman, E., Oral, H., & Eagle, K. (2009). Safety and efficacy of pacemaker reuse in underdeveloped nations: a case series. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54(16), 1557.
- 3 Mugica, J., Duconge, R., & Henry, L. (1986). Survival and mortality in 3,701 pacemaker patients: arguments in favor of pacemaker reuse. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 9(6), 1282.
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2. Anilkumar, R., & Balachander, J. (2004).
Refurbishing Pacemakers: A Viable Approach. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal, 4(1), 1-2.
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3. Francis, J., Anilkumar, R., & Mond, H. (2007). Reuse of Expanted Pacemakers: An Options for Ecomomically Underprivileged Patients in Developing Countries. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal, 7(4), 192-194.
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4. Jackson, M. (1996). Issues affecting refurbishment and re-use of pacemakers. Australian Health Review, 19(1), 68.
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5. Linde, C. L., Bocray, A., Jonsson, H., Rosenqvist, M., Rdegran, K., & Rydn, L. (1998). Re-used pacemakers--as safe as new? A retrospective case-control study. European Heart Journal, 19(1), 154.
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6. Mitka, M. (2007). Death not necessarily end for heart devices. JAMA, 297(2), 144.
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7. Mugica, J., Duconge, R., & Henry, L. (1986). Survival and mortality in 3,701 pacemaker patients: arguments in favor of pacemaker reuse. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 9(6), 1282.
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8. Panja, M., Sarkar, C. N., Kumar, S., Kar, A. K., Mitra, S., Sinha, D. P., Chatterjee, A., Roy, S., Sarkar, N. C., & Majumder, B. (1996). Reuse of pacemaker. Indian Heart Journal, 48(6), 677.
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9. Romero, J., Romero, A., Kirkpatrick, J. N., Lange, D. C., Eagle, K. A., & Baman, T. S. (2009). Pacemaker Reuse in a 65-Year-Old Woman in the Philippines with Severe Medical Need. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology,
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10. Sethi, K. K., Bhargava, M., Pandit, N., Mohan, J. C., Arora, R., Khanna, S. K., & Khalilullah, M. (1992). Experience with recycled cardiac pacemakers. Indian Heart Journal, 44(2), 91.
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11. Tyers, G. F. (1992). Recycling and 'transplantation' of implantable electronic devices. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 8(7), 683.
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Though the FDA does not endorse or prohibit recycling outside of the United States, a few organizations that have taken on the task of recycling pacemakers. These pacemakers come from patients in the US who have recently passed and are shipped to third world countries to save the lives of their people. Most pacemakers sent to third world countries are used to help save the lives of children. Between the 7 organizations we have researched, we have found they have jointly saved over 14,524 lives! For more information on joining the effort to recycle pacemakers, or to find out how to donate one yourself contact one of the following organizations:
1. Heart Too Heart/World Heart Aid- 220 34th St. West Billings, MT 59102
2. Solidarity Bridge- •http://www.solidaritybridge.org/index.html
3. University of Michigan- Project My Heart Your Heart- www.med.umich.edu/cvc
4. World Medical Relief- www.worldmedicalrelief.com
5. Second Life Program- (what info did we have;I cant find any)
6. Heartbeat International- www.heartbeatintl.org
Animals have become a growing speicies in need of pacemakers. Though the FDA does not permit recycling pacemakers between humans, they do not prohibit the recycling of pacemakers in pets. Check out the following website for information on how to recycle a pacemaker to your pet.
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=177
Special:WysiwygCPG Sec. 310.100 Pacemaker Reuse (CPG 7124.12). Retrieved October 31, 2009, from http://www.fda.gov.er.lib.k-state.edu/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm073891.htm
Special:Wysiwyg
N., Samson, G., Grezlik, R., Goldman, E., Oral, H., & Eagle, K. (2009). Safety and efficacy of pacemaker reuse in underdeveloped nations: a case series. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54(16), 1557.
Special:Wysiwyg
When should you start exercising after a pacemaker defibrillator operation?
I had an ICD inserted in August of 2008 and started working out within 3 weeks; albeit modestly. I was told to hold off the first few weeks to make sure i didn't disrupt the leads running from the unit to the heart.
The most important thing I've learned thus far is a) There are numerous settings and combination of settings that can be made and b) Depending on what these settings are, they will affect your performance and how you feel. If they aren't set properly, you'll feel like an engine with a governor restricting your abilities. I've had 2 adjustments so far and plan another in a month as it still isn't quite right.
sinoatrial node
Can people with pacemakers have ESWL?
Patients with cardiac pacemakers should be evaluated by a cardiologist familiar with ESWL. The cardiologist should be present during the ESWL procedure in the event the pacemaker needs to be overridden
Does electrical shock from an outside source interfere with the function of a pacemaker?
if the shock crosses the equipment then yes. it must also be a large shock
Yes. You should qualify for SSD (Social Security Disability) if it prevents you from working, or SSI (Social Security Income) if it limits your working ability to the point it brings you below the standard cost of living. Call the Social Security office near you or the 800 number and set up and appointment. Benifits are retroactive back to the day you call. Your cardiologist can give the SSA (Social Security Administration) the needed info. On SSD or SSI you automatically qualify for medicaid with will cover all required test. Good luck.
would decrease the heart rate, because the pacemaker cells would generate fewer action potentials per minute
What risk does the lead wire and electrodes cause to a pacemaker patient?
The lead or electrode could perforate the heart or cause scarring or other damage. The electrodes can also cause involuntary stimulation of nearby skeletal muscles.
What is the pacemakers function?
A pacemaker is nothing but a specialized mass of muscle tissue present in the wall of the heart.
It initiates the heart beat.
What are pacemakers made out of?
Modern Pacemakers are not made out of Titanium i can tell you that right now -_-".
How many leads may be necessary in a pacemaker implant procedure?
Depending on the configuration of the pacemaker and the clinical needs of the patient, as many as three leads may be used in a pacing system.
How can electricity help you with your pacemaker?
A pacemaker delivers an electric stimulus to the heart.
How do they connect a pacemaker to the heart?
A pacemaker is connected to the heart through one or more leads, which are thin, insulated wires. These leads are inserted through a vein and threaded into the heart, typically into the right atrium and/or ventricle. Once in place, the leads are attached to the pacemaker device, which is usually implanted under the skin, often in the chest area, to deliver electrical impulses that help regulate the heart's rhythm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can be done using minimally invasive techniques.
The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart because the SA node?
depolarizes to its threshold potential before other pacemakers in the heart
What is the back-up pacemaker of the heart?
The sinoatrial node is known as the pacemaker of the heart.
Does having an artificial pacemaker limit what you can do physically?
Generally, daily lifestyle is not affected too much. Certain considerations should still be taken into account, though. Those with pace makers should steer clear of full contact sports and activities involving intense magnetic fields. Otherwise, other activities and sports are fine.
I would go to the Social Security office in person. If his condition is serious enough to prevent him from working, he should be able to get disability.
death
What is the main section of the heart that initiats the cardiac cycle also known as the pacemaker?
Sinoatrial node, or SA node.
Is there any risk for a pacemaker patient and electrical muscle stimulation by a chiropractor?
Yes there absolutely is. To put it in it's most basic terms, the heart has electricity running through it. When you get an EKG at the cardiologists office, those lines are measures of the electrical activity of the heart. The pacemaker fires an electrical impulse when it detects that heart did not fire an electrical impulse on its own. By adding electricity via electrical muscle stimulation, you will run the very high risk of confusing the pacemaker.
Just don't do it.
