Technology

Pacemakers

The heart's natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial node) makes the electrical impulses that cause your heart to beat. In cases where the natural pacemaker may be defective, causing the heartbeat to beat too fast, too slow or irregular, or in the case that the heart's electrical pathways are blocked, an artificial pacemaker is used.

An artificial pacemaker is a battery-operated device, roughly the size of a pocket watch, which helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm by sending undetectable electrical signals to the heart, making it beat more regularly. Pacemakers can be attached externally or surgically implanted as a permanent treatment. Many pacemakers also have the ability to work as an internal defibrillator.

Internal Defibrillators

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) monitor your heart to treat fast heartbeats (tachycardia) and prevent sudden cardiac death. In the case of a dangerously fast heartbeat, the ICD will send painless electrical signals to the heart to slow the palpitations. If the signals are ineffective, the ICD will deliver a life-saving shock and restore the heart to a more normal rate.

External Defibrillators

External defibrillators are used with electrocardiogram readers, which are used to diagnose a cardiac condition and temporarily monitor the heartbeat. In event of use, the operator will decide what charge to use and will deliver the shock through paddles or pads on the patient's chest. External defibrillators are generally only found in hospitals and on ambulances.

What We Use

Internal Defibrillators

• Secura™ Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• Maximo^® II Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• Virtuoso^® Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• EnTrust^® Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• Marquis^® Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
• Maximo^® Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Pacemakers

• Adapta^® Pacemaker
• EnRhythm^® Pacemaker